CXC Global Racing has performed a miracle in qualifying for the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour today, the team’s two Mitsubishi Evo Xs setting the third and sixth-fastest times of today’s half-hour session despite the team having to swap a driveshaft between the two cars mid-session.
The dramas started when a spare driveshaft for the Andrew Richmond/Karl Reindler entry did not arrive at the circuit in time for qualifying. After seeking permission from the officials, the Dylan Thomas/Tim Slade car was sent onto the track for the first part of the session, Slade qualifying sixth.
The Brad Jones Racing Supercars driver was then called into pit lane and the team quickly swapped the driveshaft into the other Evo, just in time for Reindler to punch out the third-best time.
Team owner Thomas said it was a perfect example of teamwork and adapting on the run.
“I am so proud of the boys and what they achieved today, often in endurance racing you encounter hurdles but it’s what you do to overcome them,” Thomas said.
“It wasn’t the ideal situation and Tim felt he could have gone quicker if he had more time in the car, but to have two cars starting the race inside the top six is a very good result, especially considering the circumstances.”
The other two CXC Global Racing entries, the Evo IXs of Neale Muston/Peter Paddon and Jacob Andrews/Mark Griffith, qualified 22nd and 28th respectively.
“To be honest it wasn’t my best session, I scrubbed the front-right tyre going into the Chase and had to battle for the rest of qualifying,” Muston said.
“On the upside, the car is very robust and Peter and I are around the same pace, so we should be competitive in the race.”
Andrews was satisfied with the performance of his Evo after the overnight engine change.
“It was good to get some clean laps today, and I’m getting a good feel for the track,” Andrews said.
“We did a long run in that session and the car felt really good – I’m looking forward to more improvements as I become more familiar with the track tomorrow.”
The team will have a final warm-up for the Bathurst 6 Hour at 8:10 tomorrow, with the race starting at 11:30.
