Gordon Shedden’s first race at Bathurst finished prematurely, a misfire eventually forcing the compareinsurance.co.au sponsored Motionsport team out of the Liqui–Moly Bathurst 12 Hours.
The British team, with regular drivers Pete Storey and Ben Gower alongside the 2012 British Touring Car champion battled a number of minor technical problems before the engine issue led the to retire their Class C Lotus Exige shortly after the halfway point in the race.
Their eventful – though unfortunately short – race included a wild spin for Storey entering the Chase when the brakes failed beneath him pitching him into the gravel trap and (on a trajectory familiar to many drivers who have raced at Bathurst) back across the track and into the gravel on the outside of the circuit.
While the car was recovered from the gravel under the resultant safety car to continue in the race it was later discovered that the rear dampers had been damaged in the off, causing a second spin.
“Endurance racing is always tough, and endurance racing at Bathurst is probably the toughest,” said Gower. Everything has to be 100% and this time a few things let us down.”
Both Shedden and team principal Simon Phillips meanwhile were more upbeat about their weekend, the Scotsman describing an “awesome experience” and promising a return for the 2015 event – hopefully with better results.
“A massive thank you to the boys and girls on the team,” said Phillips. “You worked so hard all weekend fighting a losing a battle but kept going and going. Great job by the drivers in some really tough conditions too. Some superb laps from Flash. We can only imagine what he could have done with the right car under him! Thanks to compareinsurance.com.au for all of their support!”
