Oliver Gavin signed up by Walkinshaw Racing

Oliver Gavin

Multiple championship-winning British endurance driver Oliver Gavin has been signed by Walkinshaw Racing for the 2014 V8 Supercars Pirtek Endurance Cup, to partner Nick Percat in the Heavy Haulage Australia/Coates Hire Holden VF Commodore.

The deal includes the Wilson Security Sandown 500, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600.

Gavin has previously raced V8 Supercars – he teamed up with Greg Murphy at the 2011 Gold Coast 600, finishing both races in the top six. He currently races for the Corvette Racing GT squad in the Tudor United Sportscar Championship in North America.

Gavin’s achievements include four Le Mans 24 Hour class wins and four American Le Mans Series class titles.

The 41-year-old said racing at Bathurst is something he has dreamed about all his life.

“Racing in the Bathurst 1000 means a huge amount; when I was growing up, it was on the BBC," Gavin said.

Gavin has already completed laps at Mount Panorama this year, competing in the Bathurst 12 Hour, but said a V8 at the Mountain will be a very different beast.

“The GT car had ABS and traction control but the V8 doesn’t have any driver aids, so I imagine it will be pretty lively over the top," Gavin said.

Gavin had his first taste of the WR VF Commodore during Saturday’s pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park, completing laps alongside Percat.

“It was fantastic, it was great to drive and work with the guys from Walkinshaw Racing, particularly to be sharing the car with Nick," Gavin said. “I only got five dry laps in total, but it was great just to spend a day with the team and see how things operate. It’s whetted my appetite for more and I can’t wait to get back to Australia for the races later in the year."

Olly’s next race in the TUSC will be the 12 Hours of Sebring on 15th March and, as he and Jan Magnussen did much of the pre-season testing in the new Corvette C7R, they have been excused duties at the Spring Training test this week!