Scott Pye and Warren Luff have gone back-to-back with second place finishes at the Bathurst 1000, in an outstanding drive at The Mountain.

The news wasn’t as good for James Courtney and Jack Perkins, who suffered a heartbreaking mechanical engine failure in the opening half of the race, ending their day.

Today’s result was Pye’s second podium at Mount Panorama, and staggeringly, Luff’s fifth.

After a positive warm up this morning, the decision was made for James Courtney to start in car 25, and like last year, Luffy to handle the opening stint in Car 2, against 23 other main drivers.

After a clean start, both drivers settled into a rhythm.

At the first round of stops, Jack Perkins jumped in car 25, and Scott took over car 2, both in a healthy position.

This is where the race changed for both cars.

Scott was a man on a mission. The crew got the mandatory rotor change done smoothly, and he set off picking off cars one by one.

By the time he handed back over to Luffy on lap 56, the car was inside the top four. That was where the result was born.

On the other side of the garage, disaster struck on lap 34 when Jack pulled the car off to the side of Mountain Straight. It was a heart-breaking moment that ended their charge.

Up until that stage, their pace was strong, and both were happy with the car.

From the half-way point, both Luffy and Scott dealt with all challenges put in-front of them.

There were spots of rain, safety cars, long stints, but they handled it with ease.

Heading into the final round of stops, Scott was third, but when David Reynolds was handed a drive-through penalty, it put him in P2.

The gap to Lowndes over the last 20-laps was a steady eight-seconds, he just didn’t have that last little bit to reel him in, but did well to hold off Scott McLaughlin behind.

Consecutive seconds in the biggest and toughest race of the year is a proud moment for this team, and for Scott and Warren.

It was a case of what could have been for JC and Jack, but you know they will come back even hungrier at the Gold Coast.

Scott Pye

“Today was really special. The car was fantastic, it really came to us today, the stops were mega and they boys did a really good job. Once again Luffy was amazing as well.

“Anytime you’re on the podium at Bathurst is special.

“While you always want to win, if we couldn’t today as a team, it was fitting that Craig did, finishing his full-time driving career at Bathurst with a win.

“Next year, we will come back and look to go one better. Thanks to everyone for their support.”

Warren Luff

“What a day. It’s always special to be on the podium here, it’s unbelievable.

“Scott drove superbly, especially to get the car up the front, and the whole team did a great job all weekend. A lot of the credit has to go to them.

“I have to admit I couldn’t watch the last stint, I spent most of it in the caravan watching the F1 but Scott did an amazing job.

“Also happy for my mate Lowndesy; if our team couldn’t win, I’m glad it was him.”

James Courtney

“It’s definitely not how we pictured our afternoon playing out this morning that’s for sure.

“It’s my first engine failure with the team in eight years, so it’s not like it’s common. Things just happen, and unfortunately, today it happened to us.

“Shattered for my mate Jack, but we’ve got a chance to go again in a few weeks time. Congratulations to the team, and to Scott and Luffy.”

Jack Perkins

“I’m gutted for the whole team.

“The guys in the engine shop do a fantastic job, it’s definitely not their fault, just one of those things.

“Congratulations to Scott and Luffy.

“We will be back at the Gold Coast…”