A strong performance in Race 1 of the Fujitsu V8 Series at Bathurst came to a crunching halt today when Mark McNally crashed out while running in 12th place – putting him out of the meeting.
After an interrupted lead-up to the event, Mark was progressing well in both confidence and lap times at the daunting mountain circuit.
Mark qualified in 17th place this morning with a 2:12.607 lap time, his fastest ever at the mountain circuit.
“I would have liked to be up a bit further than 17th, ” Mark said.
“But the time was good and I am getting faster each time I hit the track.
Race 1 started well with Mark making his way forward to find himself in 12th place by lap 5.
“The first few laps were really good and I was able to gain places before the race settled down, ” he said.
While chasing Grant Denyer over the top of the mountain on lap 12, Mark clipped the inside wall of the ‘Dipper’ which sent him careering into the outside wall.
Mark was uninjured in the incident but the car sustained damage to both front and rear, with damage to the rear suspension mountings being too severe to repair.
“This place is all about getting laps, ” Mark said.
“We were robbed of any significant laps last year so it was almost like coming here for the first time this year.
“We were really progressing well this weekend, getting faster all the time.
“It really is a shame that the smallest of errors has cost us the meeting.
“The impact with the inside wall was so minor that it didn’t even mark a panel, but it was enough to throw me off line.
“This track is so unforgiving, being lined with concrete any mistake has serious consequences.
“I feel really disappointed for the crew who worked so hard to get here this weekend. ”
The team will now head back to its Melbourne workshop and repair the car for the Series final at Phillip Island in early December.
“We have gelled together really well this weekend and I think it is the start of a really strong team.
“We will be back for Phillip Island bigger and better than ever.
“I also want to thank our sponsors, especially the ones who have come to Bathurst for the weekend. ”
The Phillip Island round will be held on 1-2 December.
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