Unlucky Bates 'didn't make it past Turn 3' in wretched weekend

You could forgive Matt Stone Racing rookie Zach Bates for making a mad dash to the airport to leave Melbourne, after what was a luckless weekend for the Canberran.

Bates, Erebus Motorsport driver Cooper Murray and Blanchard Racing Team's Aaron Cameron were pinned to the bottom of the Larry Perkins Trophy standings after repeatedly finding trouble.

Murray was twice taken out at Turn 11, while Cameron collided with both Triple Eight drivers across the course of the weekend, before copping a mystery puncture on Sunday.

Where Murray and Cameron managed to get some track time under their belts without chaos, Bates wasn't as lucky. In fact, Bates didn't get past Turn 3 in any of the races without copping a hit.

Bates had to take evasive action avoiding the spinning Kai Allen on Thursday, and dropped to the back after surfing through the gravel. On Friday, he was turned around by Jayden Ojeda at the same corner.

Come Saturday, and a dive bomb by Cameron Hill into Turn 1 sent Hill into Ojeda, leaving Bates fuming over team radio: "Cam Hill is an absolute f***wit."

Bates and Murray's weekend came to an abrupt halt on Sunday, and in true luckless fashion. As Broc Feeney spun in front of the field, most drivers zigged. Bates and Murray zagged, and struck Feeney's Ford.

“It’s a little bit more difficult this time to draw the positives on the weekend,” Bates told the Cool Down Lap presented by Equip Super podcast.

“It was great to have my first taste of the Albert Park Circuit and everything like that. For the most part we were reasonably speedy, but just a pretty average few races.

“I didn't make it past Turn 3 of any of the races, and then yeah, obviously today sustaining some pretty big damage. It's really annoying for the Bendix crew and everyone who puts in a lot of work.”

Sunday's crash left the Feeney, Bates and Murray cars needed serious repairs before cars head to New Zealand.

Bates conceded he had little chance to avoid Feeney once the Red Bull Ampol Mustang swung back around through a plume of tyre smoke.

“Didn't see too much, obviously. That's why I ploughed into the side of Broc and Cooper," Bates said.

“I knew something was happening in front of me. I could see some smoke and whatnot and I kind of was veering as far left, nearly onto the grass as I could and I slowed it right up.

“But unfortunately, yeah, Broc kept spinning. Cooper got him first and then I came in. Very disappointing.”

Bates and Murray are 22nd and 24th in points heading to the ITM NZ Doubleheader.