Walkinshaw TWG Racing, DJR full steam ahead to Sunday
Ryan Wood, Rylan Gray cars return to track after overnight repairs
Jaxon Evans hailed "faultless" return for damaged Supra
Walkinshaw TWG Racing and Dick Johnson Racing are full steam ahead to Sunday’s race following a strong return to the track.
Wood crashed heavily midway through Practice 3 on Friday morning at Forrest’s Elbow, before Tony D’Alberto crashed Gray’s Ford at The Dipper.
Both cars were sidelined from Practice 4 and Boost Mobile Qualifying, with the teams opting to repair the cars to make them race-ready versus rushing them out for qualifying.
Walkinshaw TWG crew worked on the #2 Mobil 1 Truck Assist Supra until midnight, while DJR put tools down around 2:00am. The rebuilt cars rejoined the field for Practice 5 at 10:05am local time, nearly 24 hours after both cars went into Mount Panorama’s unforgiving concrete walls.
Jaxon Evans, who put the #2 entry into 10th in Practice 5, was glowing of his team's efforts.
"Massive credit to all these guys and girls," said Evans, who logged 19 laps.
"It ran faultlessly this morning, no issues, no little things that sort of were a bit of a hangover after yesterday's rebuild. Really pleased, big credit to them."
D'Alberto logged 21 laps, and ended up 19th after spending a portion of the session bedding brakes.
Critically, it ensured both Evans and D'Alberto — while experienced — got crucial track time.
The works ensure the dream remains alive for both teams to work towards a practice crash to win scenario, much like the scenes of Jason Bright and Steven Richards in 1998.
"For me to get a few more laps under the belt ahead of tomorrow is always good, and just fine-tuning our race car now," Evans continued.
"Lucky enough, when you're out of practice and qualifying, there's a few extra sets of green tyres.
"Happy with where the balance is heading."
All cars return to the track for final practice at 1:10pm AEDT.
