PERCAT IS GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE
Coates Hire Racing’s Nick Percat heads to Phillip Island this weekend for the penultimate round of the V8 Supercars championship, after finishing eighth overall in the three round PIRTEK Enduro Cup with co-driver Oliver Gavin.
Following the last enduro race on the Gold Coast three weeks ago, the championship reverts to a single driver format this weekend and for Percat, it’s a case of going back to the future.
Four years ago, he made his main game V8 Supercar debut at the Island co-driving with Andrew Thomson and this year he is enjoying his maiden championship season. He currently lies 12th in the championship and is just 68 points shy of breaking into the top ten, with 300 points on offer this weekend.
Earlier this year Percat was victorious at the southern-Victorian venue winning the second leg of the Porsche Carrera Cup round with co-driver, Shane Smollen.
Interestingly, V8 Supercars and World Superbikes lap the 4.5 kilometre circuit at similar times (1min 30sec) despite vastly different speeds at various points. The picturesque track is one of Percat’s favorites on the championship trail and this weekend will see the McAleese Transport name integrated into the #222 HHA Racing livery.
Nick Percat: “Phillip Island is a great track to drive with its fast and flowing layout and the re-surfacing last year is a big positive. The racing is usually pretty good down there and it’s a tough place to pass. It’s a challenging but enjoyable circuit and hopefully we can get another strong result”.
BOWE CHASING TOURING CAR MASTERS GLORY
The final and championship deciding round of the Touring Car Masters will be run at Phillip Island this weekend with Coates Hire ambassador, John Bowe leading the charge.
Just ten points separate Bowe from longtime rival Jim Richards with 180 points up for grabs across the three races this weekend.
Bowe and Richards have battled all year since the opening round at the Clipsal 500 in March. They are tied on two round wins apiece, but Bowe has the advantage of race wins and podium finishes. He’s also scored pole position at every round so far this season and will set a new record if he can do the same again this weekend.
With the championship on the line in the most closely fought season ever, the 24-car field is set to entertain the fans this weekend.
John Bowe: “I love driving at Phillip Island in anything and in these old muscle cars they are quite challenging because the corners are very fast and the average lap speed is fast and these cars have no aero, so they tend to get a lot of air under them and generate lift, so they’re a bit of a handful.
“I am looking forward to this weekend and the Touring Car Masters has never been stronger or more competitive. At the last round at Bathurst I ran out of patience, talent and brakes all at the same time, (laughs) so I’d like to redeem myself this weekend.
“Jimmy (Jim Richards) is going to be strong as always and so will Andy Miedecke, but there’s also Greg Crick, Keith Kassulke, Mark King, Jason Gomersall and Eddie Abelnica who could all win this weekend, so the racing is going to be brilliant as always. I’ll just do my very best and see how we end up on Sunday evening".
