Ryan Briscoe to partner Russell Ingall in Endurance Cup

Walkinshaw Racing has secured the services of successful Indycar driver, Ryan Briscoe, for the inaugural Endurance Cup. Briscoe will co-pilot Russell Ingall’s Supercheap Auto-backed Commodore in the Sandown 500, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 events taking place in the coming months.

The 31 year-old was initially rumoured to be teaming up with James Courtney in the #22 Holden Racing Team Commodore, but following Nick Percat’s unexpected return to the team, Briscoe’s participation has been under a cloud. However, his signature is now in possession of the sister team under the commercial identity of Supercheap Auto Racing.

Briscoe is one of Australia’s most successful international pilots, and is a regular competitor in the Indycar series with eight career victories and thirteen pole positions since his debut season in 2005. However, he is currently recovering from a wrist injury sustained during the Indycar round at Toronto last month.

Briscoe also competes in the American Le Mans Series with Level 5 Motorsports, and is expected to step back behind the wheel at Road America next weekend.

The New South Welshman is not entirely unfamiliar with the V8 Supercar category, having scored a remarkable pole position on debut at the 2006 Sandown 500. Over the past three years, he has also become a regular competitor in co-driver events for the factory Holden stable, teaming up with the likes of Andrew Thompson, Will Davison and Garth Tander since 2010.

A keen follower of the category, Briscoe is filled with anticipation with regards to the upcoming endurance cup.

“I’m really excited to be coming home and driving with Walkinshaw Racing again, partnering a V8 icon in Russell Ingall,” he said. “I’ve been following the V8s all season and its great timing to be driving with Russell and the Supercheap Auto team; they had a great result in Townsville and are clearly coming strong before the enduros.”

Russell Ingall shares Briscoe’s optimism, and pledged full faith in the 31 year-old to assist in delivering impressive results in each of the three endurance events.

“V8s are unique race cars and can be tricky to drive, but Ryan has shown he’s able to adapt very quickly,” Ingall said. “Having a co-driver of his calibre in the Supercheap Auto Commodore will give us a great chance in the enduros. It’s especially good having Ryan on board for the Gold Coast, because has great pedigree there in both Indycars and V8s”.

Ingall has yet to taste victory in 2013, and currently occupies 18th position in the standings. However, “The Enforcer” hasn’t entirely lost the trait which saw him claim the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship crown. A stellar drive in the second leg of the Townsville 400 reminded the category of his aptitude, as he secured a stunning 5th placed finish having started from 24th on the grid.

The opening race of the inaugural endurance cup is less than two months away, with the Sandown 500 kicking off proceedings on the 15th of September. It will be followed by the Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 in quick succession during the following month. The endurance cup will be awarded to the drivers who score the greatest tally of points over the three events.