CXC Global Racing has established itself as the leading Mitsubishi team in today’s two practice sessions for the 2017 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, its two Evo Xs both demonstrating outright top five pace.
The Dylan Thomas/Tim Slade Evo X finished the day fourth overall, with the team’s other Evo X of Andrew Richmond/Karl Reindler just behind in fifth.
CXC Global Racing’s Evo IXs performed strongly as well – Neale Muston and Peter Paddon ended up 20th overall, setting times well within striking distance of the front-runners.
The Evo IX of Jacob Andrews/Mark Griffith completed limited laps, the crew electing to undertake a precautionary engine change after a minor issue with the original motor. Nevertheless, Andrews still completed his first laps around the Mount Panorama circuit.
CXC Global Racing team principal Dylan Thomas was happy with the team’s efforts but said the practice sessions were not about outright lap speed.
“While it’s encouraging to have two cars in the top five, our program for today was very much centred around consistent race pace over longer runs,” Thomas said.
“All the drivers did a great job; Tim and I are working well together in my car.”
Reindler showed especially strong pace in the second practice session where he set the second-fastest time.
“For my first proper run in the car, it felt good,” Reindler said.
“I’m still learning the car and working out how to drive it best, but it will be a strong race package.”
Long-time Radical and Porsche racer Neale Muston had his first taste of a production-spec car, and was pleased with how it handled the mountain.
“I had never driven an Evo before and I took a few laps to get used to it, but it’s a lot of fun,” Muston said.
“Peter (Paddon) has been a great competitor in the Radical Cup and I’m privileged to be driving alongside him; we’ve both been doing similar times so I think we’ll complement each other really well.”
Andrews was thrilled to have completed his first laps around Mount Panorama.
“This place is seriously cool, especially all the undulations – driving it for the first time was just amazing,” Andrews said.
The CXC Global Racing cars and drivers will complete a final practice session at 7:40 tomorrow morning, followed by qualifying at 12:50.
