RUSSELL Ingall has today confirmed that he will join Walkinshaw Racing for the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship, driving a #74 Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore in next year’s 16-event season.

The 2005 V8 Supercar Champion will leave Paul Morris Motorsports after four seasons with the Queensland-based team and take Supercheap Auto along with him to his new home.

Ingall will become Walkinshaw stablemates with Toll Holden Racing Team drivers Garth Tander and James Courtney, with whom Ingall was teammates at Stone Brothers Racing in 2006/2007.

“For me, I have raced against the Walkinshaw teams for many years and, to be honest, I hated them – if it wasn’t for them I would have won three more championships," said Ingall.

“At the same time, I’ve always had the utmost respect for the organisation and how it goes about its business of winning races – I am truly honoured to be joining such a professional racing team.

“I’ve always said I am not in the sport to make up numbers. I enjoy racing hard and winning. The winning has eluded me for the last few years and I want to get back into the habit.

“With today’s announcement, Supercheap Auto and Walkinshaw Racing are giving me a fantastic opportunity and I know I have the drive to make 2012 a great success.”

Walkinshaw Racing Racing Operations Manager, Mike Henry said today’s announcement built on recent changes within the organisation.

“Russell Ingall is one of the superstars of V8 Supercars, a hard-working, unique, tough-as-nails character and a true fan favourite,” said Henry.

“He has experience that just cannot be bought and will be a valuable addition to our team. We are delighted to have him on board.”

Ingall currently sits 18th in the V8 Supercars Championship ahead of this weekend’s event at Symmons Plains in Tasmania, where Ingall won overall in 2004.

The signing of Ingall to the Melbourne-based team puts a question mark over the future of current Bundaberg/Walkinshaw Racing pilot Fabian Coulthard.

The Kiwi has a contract with the team for 2012, however media reports have linked him either with an endurance co-drive with Walkinshaw Racing or being ‘loaned out’ to another team, possibly Brad Jones Racing.