Round 3 of Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia will welcome a new challenger to its ranks at Queensland Raceway this weekend, with rising star Oli Wickham set to race a second Triple Eight Race Engineering entry.
Wickham, a champion of the GR Cup class last year and current leader of the Australian Formula Ford Championship, will drive a second Shaw and Partners Financial Services Racing entry alongside Supercars race winner Jack Perkins. Both Mustang Dark Horses will be prepared by HMO Customer Racing and compete with Triple Eight’s famed number combination of #888 (Perkins) and #88 (Wickham).
Wickham’s drive in the Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia is part of a new Triple Eight Race Engineering junior program, designed to mentor, develop and provide driving opportunities for the young Tasmania.
Wickham and Perkins will face stiff opposition at Queensland Raceway – another competitive field assembled for the category’s first visit to the Ipswich circuit.
Clean Vibes Multispares Racing’s Josh Anderson completed a clean-sweep of the Ambrose and Johnson Cups to hold a 34-point lead ahead of Joe Fawcett, who scored his maiden pole position at The Bend.
Perkins endured a tough opening round at Phillip Island, but enjoyed a strong second event at The Bend to vault back into title calculations, while Josh Trappett is another on the move following his maiden podium finish at The Bend.
Brock Giblin continues to get to grips with the new package as do Dark Horse Junior contenders Imogen Radburn and Matt Kiss.
Dark Horse Legends is expected to be a close fight between previous class winners Keith Kassulke and John Goodacre, while Warren Wadley and category debutant Patrick Neville will be eager to get on the board.
Friday will feature a pair of 20-minute practice sessions before Ambrose Cup Qualifying and the 40-minute race on Saturday, rounded out by the Johnson Cup on Sunday.
Watch Round 3 of Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia, part of the Shannons SpeedSeries, live on Kayo and Fox Sports in Australia, while international viewers can tune in via the Ford Racing YouTube channel.
QUOTES
Oli Wickham
Triple Eight Race Engineering
“This is the most exciting opportunity I’ve ever had,” said Wickham.
“To join this team, with a wealth of knowledge that the drivers, engineers and support crew at Triple Eight possess, is incredible. They are the benchmark in motorsport and to be here is huge for my development and journey.
“It’s an opportunity to take what I’ve done so far and continue to grow both on and off the track. This is the best place for me to do that and I’m looking forward to working with everyone here to achieve the best results possible for the team, no matter what I’m driving.
“Mustang Cup this weekend is all about learning from Jack (Perkins) – everything about the car, the track and racing, as well as how to go about things in the garage.
“It’s a big step up, but I’m ready for it and excited for it. The goal is to be in a Supercar one day and this is the best start I could have hoped for.”
Entry List, Queensland Raceway
| CAR # | CLASS | SPONSOR | DRIVER | STATE | VEHICLE | COLOUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | DH* | Joe Fawcett Motorsport | Joe Fawcett | VIC | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Blue/Orange |
| 29 | DH* | Radburn Racing Team | Imogen Radburn | NSW | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | Green/White/Pink/Grey |
| 47 | DH | Link Signs Racing | Brock Giblin | QLD | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Blue/Orange |
| 55 | DH* | Betta Marquee | Matthew Kiss | NSW | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Red |
| 80 | DHL | Wadley Property Group | Warren Wadley | QLD | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White |
| 88 | DH* | Shaw and Partners Financial Services | Oliver Wickham | TAS | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Blue |
| 91 | DHL | Wheels FX Racing | Keith Kassulke | QLD | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Green/Black |
| 92 | DHL | Stroud Homes Toowoomba | Patrick Neville | QLD | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Black/Orange/Blue |
| 93 | DHL | Ryan McLeod Racing Cars | John Goodacre | SA | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Blue/Black |
| 94 | DH | Clean Vibes Multispares Racing | Josh Anderson | NSW | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | Green |
| 95 | DH | Ryan McLeod Racing Cars | Josh Trappett | QLD | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | Blue/Black |
| 888 | DH | Shaw and Partners Financial Services | Jack Perkins | VIC | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R | White/Blue |
| *Also eligible for Dark Horse Junior Class | ||||||
Motorcraft Mustang Cup Australia schedule, Queensland Raceway
Friday, June 12
Practice 1 11:20am
Practice 2 2:15pm
Ambrose Cup – Saturday, June 13
Qualifying 9:55am
Race 2:45pm
Johnson Cup – Sunday, June 14
Qualifying 9:00am
Race 12:00pm