Walls puzzled by rare failure that nearly triggered title drama

An unseen failure was the catalyst for an awkward late-race incident in Race 9 at the ITM Taupō Super 440.

As Brodie Kostecki battled with James Golding for sixth place in the latter stages of the 200km race won by Ryan Wood, the championship leader was attempting a move at Turn 1 when he nearly tripped over the crawling Objective Ford of Jackson Walls.

While suspicions initially turned to Walls simply trying to get out of the way of cars on the lead lap, the #11 Mustang entered under the SCT Motorsport license made it's way back to the garage the next time around.

Unseen by cameras, Walls had suffered a right front suspension failure through the final complex of corners while shadowing the sister Triple Eight Mustangs of Will Brown and Broc Feeney.

Walls was forced into the pits with less than 10 laps to go, ultimately recording his first career DNF, and was uncertain post-race as to what had caused a rare Triple Eight componentry failure.

"The bolts in the upright failed. It's something we've got to unpack as a team, figure out what really happened," said the rookie on the Cool Down Lap presented by Equip Super.

"Just because one thing failed doesn't mean that was the root cause of it, but it was definitely pretty interesting going into the last complex hitting the brakes and the car deciding it was going to go straight regardless.

"At least it didn't happen at Turn 5 at Ruapuna, otherwise I don't think I'd be taking the car home..."

It marked the second time in as many races that Walls had picked up damage, with a run-in with Cameron Hill's Supra in Race 8 seeing the Super2 graduate finish a lapped 22nd after pitting a second time to replace a puncture.

The two incidents, combined with a mistake in Race 9 qualifying, masked what was another weekend of promise for 23-year-old Walls, who qualified 14th for the opening race, the third time he's done so this year.

However, he admitted to frustration at missing out on a top 10 start by the tiniest of margins when asked if he felt his speed was continuing to improve.

"Yeah I think so. It's annoying because so many times in qualy this year, it's been like a tenth that would put me in the [top] 10," Walls said.

"Being in the top 10 is a good confidence boost, probably one I need. I don't know, I just need to do a better job."

However, the gradual improvement in speed that Walls has displayed is cause for optimism for Objective Racing Team Manager Wes McDougall, who sees the upcoming event in Christchurch as a big opportunity.

With zero form guide to to run off, McDougall and the team had identified the debut of Ruapuna as a golden chance to spring a shock, singling out Walls' early speed on the Super Soft tyre as a base to build upon.

"In terms of what we can take to Christchurch, we've got good pace on the Super Soft tyre and just need some learnings on how to maintain longevity in it, that's going to be the key," McDougall said.

"But we go to Ruapuna with a clean slate as it's a track no Supercar has raced at before, everyone is going in with those conditions and with somewhat of an even slate experience wise.

"In the preseason we've earmarked this race as being one of the places where we could potentially have a good result, so that'll put some pep in our step after this weekend to keep the motivation going in New Zealand for round two of the double header."

The ITM Christchurch Super 440 kicks off on Friday.