V8 Supercars championship rivals Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes have a fight on their hands in Sunday’s Bathurst 1000 – and not just against each other.
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Whincup had earlier this week hosed down talk that lap records would be under threat at Bathurst this year despite the introduction of a new gearing set-up. “It’s a bit disappointing, we were off to a good start”, said Gracie. Winterbottom, who has led the title race for most of the season in his Falcon FG X, winning nine races, has vowed to drive for a second Bathurst 1000 victory in three years rather than hold back for a safe points finish.
“I’m really sorry for the team as it was my error that put us out and also destroyed a vehicle”. I thought “oh I’m in trouble here”.
Then there was Ford star David Reynolds’ ill advised remark that earned a $25,000 fine from V8 Supercars.
Mostert broke his leg and wrist in the accident and Prodrive have begun their search for his replacement as they are required to contest the remaining 12 races.
Waters was Mostert’s Bathurst 1000 co-driver.
“They’ve won the last two years in a row and they’re going for a three-peat; no doubt they’re the team to beat”, he said.
There will be stiff competition from a couple of the race’s veteran pairings looking to add to their Bathurst wins.
“You come here every year to do your best and the four times I’ve been up here I’ve driven with a few great guys and been involved with a few cool teams”.
“From there I was a passenger and took a few pretty big hits”.
V8 Supercars boss James Warburton was quick to slam the “disgraceful” comment directed at Ford duo Simona de Silvestro and Renee Gracie, following Thursday’s practice.
Two wild card entries will look to make their presence felt, with brothers Aaren and Drew Russell joining the field in a Commodore alongside an all-female driver team in another Prodrive Ford.
Mostert backed the pair to do well.
“You tell how bad it is by how the officials wave the flags, when I saw them going insane doing that I knew”.
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Applause erupted amid high fives throughout their garage when de Silvestro, an Indy auto driver, finally got a chance to get behind the wheel with 108 laps left in the “Great Race”.
