The Wilson Security Racing GRM (Volvo Polestar Racing) duo of Scott McLaughlin and Alex Prémat claimed a solid top-five finish in a challenging 2015 Bathurst 1000 race that saw changeable conditions and several crashes. The result in the 1000 kilometre race moves McLaughlin into the top ten of the championship
”This has been a tough day, I did the longest stint in my life and it was really mentally draining with the wet and dry conditions. We set our car more towards wet conditions and it was a jet in the rain, but not so much in the dry. Fifth is a good result, my best at Bathurst and there is more to come,” said McLaughlin.
The Kiwi started the race from second position on the grid and gained the lead early in the race. The different pit stop strategies and incidents during the race saw the Volvo duo moving up and down through the field to ultimately finish fifth, under ten seconds from race winners Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards.
”I am pretty happy about the race with fifth position. We wanted to go on the podium and we finished like a hundred meters from it. Scotty did a really good job, as well as the team with the strategy. Now we are looking forward to Gold Coast race and to bring back a surfboard like last year,” said Prémat.
The race came to an early end for teammates David Wall and Chris Pither due to a technical issue on lap 15.
”Obviously disappointing for everyone involved. It gave no warning; the engine just dropped a cylinder. That is the way it goes, bring on the Gold Coast,” said Wall.
”I am of course not happy with being out of the biggest race of the year. But that is racing sometimes and I look forward to the next race,” said Pither.
Fifth position in the Bathurst 1000 race moves McLaughlin from eleventh to ninth in the drivers’ championship behind reigning champion Jamie Whincup.
”I am happy to climb into the top ten. Alex did a fantastic job in the race today, the team gave me a great car and a great strategy. I can’t wait to head to the Gold Coast for our next race,” said McLaughlin.
Four race weekends remain in the 2015 V8 Supercars Championship with the Gold Coast 600 next in the schedule. This will be the final endurance race for the season, which saw McLaughlin and Prémat finishing on the podium in 2014.
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