HIGHS AND LOWS FOR PERCAT AT WINTON

Coates Hire Racing's Nick Percat experienced the highs and lows of Porsche Carrera Cup racing at Winton Raceway today.

After qualifying on pole position, his third in five rounds, Percat got a good initial start but lost ground with wheelspin, which bunched up the field.

Heading into turn one three wide, reigning champion Craig Baird dived up the inside and locked his brakes, hitting Percat then cannoning into Steven Richards.

Percat raced across the sodden infield through a huge puddle and a ditch that saw the Coates Hire Porsche 911 GT3 fly spectacularly through the air, as he to returned to the track well down the field.

From there Percat grimly hung on, his Porsche missing its front spoiler and vital front grip, hindering forward progress.

For his part in the turn one incident, Baird was given a drive through penalty. Second in the title chase, Warren Luff spun on lap 11 ending his race in the mud.

Percat nursed his ailing Coates Hire Porsche home to eventually finish eighth just in front of fellow front row starter Steven Richards.

After the race Percat said “ My initial launch was good but the car broke into wheelspin with the dirt on the track and I was happy to slot in behind Richo (Steven Richards), then Baird came racing up the inside using the pit lane exit, hit me and then ploughed Richo.

“It’s ruined our weekend and I feel sorry for Richo too.

“The weird thing is we have actually made ground as Richo finished behind me, Bairdo was way back and Warren Luff, who was second in the championship, spun off and didn’t finish. Hopefully the two races tomorrow will be better for us”.