Comeback Hopes Dashed For Mcglaughlin Enduro Partnership

MEDIA RELEASE 29/9/2013

FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Comeback Hopes Dashed For Mcglaughlin Enduro Partnership

A thrilling second place finish to Race Two of the V8SuperTourer Endurance opener came purely as consolation for Supercheap Auto Racing’s Scott McLaughlin and Jonathan Webb at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park this afternoon, being shunted from second position on the grid in Race Three to end the comeback hopes of what had otherwise been an encouraging weekend for the duo.

The collision with third position starter Andrew Waite caused severe damage with heavy frontal impact being sustained after being forced off the track at turn nine in a battle for corner position with fellow Holden driver Tim Edgell. 

The spar with Edgell in the Chester’s Plumbing and Bathroom Holden occurred only one lap into lap into Race Three, ending what had been a relatively damage-free weekend for the premier V8 racing series in New Zealand.

After watching the damaged Holden return to pit lane, a gutted Scott McLaughlin said “It was tough out there what happened to Jono, stakes we’re high it’s just disappointing that it’s happened so early on.  Despite our best efforts to set up a promising end to the weekend - these hopes were just dashed too early.”

The additional damage and repair bill comes after team owner and father of Scott McLaughlin, Wayne McLaughlin recently noted the team had to come to terms with a frustrating year due to the heavy cost of repairs suffered from multiple impacts over the course of the 2013 season.

The team will now return the wounded Supercheap Holden to its workshop based in Hamilton, where damage will be assessed to confirm if a return to the series for the next endurance round at Hampton Downs will be possible in just three weeks.

“Without a doubt we’d love to get back out there in October - Jono and I proved that the car was worthy of a top spot finish this weekend, and it’s purely bad luck that we’re battling this season.  We don’t want that to stop us, and we’re keen to shake whatever seems to be plaguing us at the moment off and finish the season on a high we know we can achieve.” 

“I think everyone can see it’s the racing not the driving that took us out of contention today and we’ll just have to take the next week to see if returning to Hampton is possible - we’ll be sure to let our fans know as soon as a call can be made.”

McLaughlin and Webb certainly have the support of the New Zealand V8 fans behind them - the young and skilled duo had race goers on their feet in race two of the day, when McLaughlin put his determined talent to work.  

Fighting back from what initially was a 10 second lead held by P1, McLaughlin passed both Shane van  Gisbergen (3rd), and Ant Pedersen (2nd) in the last quarter of the 56 lap race to finish second - closing the gap on Tim Edgell and Lee Holdsworth to just three seconds.

Visiting Australian and Tekno Autosports co-driver Jono Webb was unhurt in the impact and walked away from the wreckage head-in-hand knowing the severity of the damage, and position the team now faces in finishing the season with hopes of defending the 2012 title.

An investigation has been launched to determine the fault of the incident, looking at whether racing conduct by Edgell is deemed to be the reason for Webb leaving the track.   At the time of this release a determination on this had not been released by race officials.

Both McLaughlin and Webb will return to Australia in coming days to switch sights to the quickly approaching Bathurst 1000 – McLaughlin pairing up for the challenge at Fujitsu Racing alongside Jack Perkins and Webb with Van Gisbergen for the Queensland based Tekno team.

The team reiterated at the close of proceedings today that as soon as a decision has been made as to whether they will be able to make the next V8 SuperTourer round, fans and public will be notified.

ENDS

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