Wayne Gardner Racing
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motor racing |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Wayne Gardner |
| Defunct | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Mona Vale, later Wetherill Park , Australia |
Key people | Wayne Gardner (owner), Alan Heaphy (team principal) |
| Products | Australian Touring Car Championship racing team, street performance modifications (WGR Group A) |
Wayne Gardner Racing was an Australian motor racing outfit that participated in the Australian Touring Car Championship between 1994 and 1999.
Establishment
The team was created to support the racing ambitions of 1987 World Motorcycle Champion Wayne Gardner, who retired from motorcycle competition in 1992. Following a disagreement with Tom Walkinshaw at the Holden Racing Team in 1993, Gardner departed and took ownership of Bob Forbes Racing, which had been competing with a single VP Commodore driven by Neil Crompton. Originally operating out of Mona Vale, the team later moved to Wetherill Park and appointed former Gibson Motorsport manager Alan Heaphy as team principal. Key sponsors included Coca-Cola, Holden, and Dunlop.
1994 Season
The team made its debut at the first round of the 1994 championship, fielding a second VP Commodore alongside Crompton’s 1993 vehicle. For endurance events, Gardner and Crompton alternated driving car #4, while Win Percy and Russell Ingall competed in car #7, achieving a fifth-place finish at the 1994 Bathurst 1000.
1995 Season
Upgrading their machinery to VR specifications, the team retained its driver lineup. Brad Jones joined Percy in car #4 for endurance races, whereas Gardner and Crompton shared car #7, securing fifth and third places respectively at the 1995 Bathurst 1000.
1996 Season
The squad remained mostly consistent this year. Brad Jones filled in for Gardner during the Indy support race before financial limitations forced the withdrawal of Crompton’s car. Jones teamed with Tony Scott in car #4 for endurance events, while Gardner and Crompton introduced a new car #7, finishing fourth at the 1996 Bathurst 1000.
1997 Season
In 1997, the team transitioned to Yokohama tyres and upgraded to Holden VS Commodore specifications, running only one car (#7). Gardner earned the team's sole round victory at the season opener held at Calder Park Raceway. Crompton returned for endurance competitions, with Gardner leading the Bathurst 1000 until an engine failure occurred on lap 90. Additionally, a second customer entry (#54) was entered for drivers Peter Bradbury, Paul Stokell, and Anthony Tratt. The team ceased operations at the conclusion of 1997.
1998 Season
Gardner continued with a single Holden VS Commodore, managed by Melbourne-based Paris Acott for preparation, participating selectively in prominent 1998 events as car #96. He partnered with Paul Stokell during endurance races.
1999 Season
In 1999, Gardner acquired a Perkins Engineering customer Holden VT Commodore and competed selectively in major events under number #19, co-driving with David Brabham at the Bathurst 1000. By this stage, Gardner's primary focus had shifted to full-time competition in Japanese GT racing piloting factory-supported Toyota Supras. He sold this vehicle by year-end and limited his Australian appearances to guest drives.
Road cars
At its height, the outfit expanded into street performance modifications, offering body kits and engine upgrades for Holden VR and VS Commodores under the WGR Group A branding. This enterprise was short-lived with minimal sales volume.
Drivers
In addition to Wayne Gardner, WGR's roster featured several distinguished drivers such as:
- Neil Crompton
- Win Percy
- Russell Ingall
- Brad Jones
- Tony Scott
- Paul Stokell
- Peter Bradbury
- Anthony Tratt
- David Brabham