The crucial double meaning behind Percat's return to form
Nick Percat made timely return to form at Symmons Plains
Percat out-scored MSR teammate Cameron Hill for the first time in 2025
2011 Bathurst winner was seventh for the round in Tasmania
At face value, Nick Percat recorded a timely return to form in Tasmania with a podium and a solid top 10 finish.
However, the Matt Stone Racing driver not only cut short a string of tough results, but also claimed intra-team honours for the first time since this season.
The 2011 Bathurst winner's weekend began in controversy, involved in a clumsy pit entry incident with reigning champion Will Brown that led to a $3000 fine.
After finishing 19th, 15th and 23rd in New Zealand, Percat didn't need another hiccup, yet 22nd in the Tasmania opener wasn't what he was after.
Come Race 12, and MSR executed a sensational overcut to deliver Percat into the effective lead, with Broc Feeney getting by. Percat raced away to second, his first podium since Melbourne, before coming home ninth on Sunday.
In the fight for MSR honours, Percat out-scored teammate Cameron Hill at a round for the first time this season.
Percat was 17th for the round in Sydney, five points behind Hill. He was then fourth in Melbourne, 16 points behind Hill. The nadir was a run to 20th overall in New Zealand, 120 points behind fourth-placed Hill, who finished second in the Sunday race.
In Tasmania, Percat was seventh for the round, 54 points more than 10th-placed Hill.
Crucially, after leaving New Zealand 117 points from 10th position, Percat is now just 68 points out of the 10, and 87 points behind Hill.
It was also a bright start to Percat's new working relationship with exercise and conditioning coach Adam Gordon, who previously enjoyed a stint working with Will Davison.
“It was a solid weekend. Friday took a bit to get going and then we found out feet on Saturday," the 36-year-old said.
"Race 1 could have been a lot better if we didn’t qualify poorly and then Race 2 was awesome to get on the podium.
"Sunday’s race we were really quick, probably didn’t qualify quite where we wanted — we were probably good enough to be eighth, which would have changed our day a fair bit.
"The cars were really fast so we could have taken the risk to do the double fuelling like the Grove guys but just couldn’t get it done.
"So to come home with two straight cars in the 10 from 13th and 17th was really good. We needed a little bit of lady luck today and didn’t quite have it.”
Hill and Percat are eighth and 13th heading to the next round in Perth on June 6-8. Tickets on sale now.
