New Zealand businessman and new Walkinshaw TWG Racing shareholder Scott O’Donnell has shed light on how his investment in the reigning Repco Supercars Championship-winning team came together.
The Kiwi businessman joined the team’s ownership structure through his company ODFI Ltd, partnering with the Walkinshaw Group and Dan Towriss-led TWG Motorsports.
A long-time racer himself, O’Donnell explained that the opportunity to buy into the team emerged late last year and progressed quickly. The team approached him after McLaren F1 team principal Zak Brown signalled his intention to sell his shares, asking whether he would consider purchasing them and joining the ownership group. Discussions later followed on the Gold Coast, where the deal progressed from there.
O’Donnell, who is passionate about historical racing and often participates in his own racing ventures, is attracted to the Kiwi structure that the team currently holds.
He sees a clear opportunity to position Walkinshaw TWG Racing as the preferred Supercars team for New Zealand fans. The organisation already features a number of New Zealanders, including CEO Bruce Stewart. The team also features three Kiwi drivers, in full-time driver Ryan Wood, alongside co-drivers Fabian Coulthard and former Brad Jones Racing driver Jaxon Evans.
Newly minted owner O’Donnell’s first round with the team will come at the first New Zealand round in Taupo on April 10-12 before the series debuts at Ruapuna on the 17th of April.
Good one Scott