James Courtney has claimed Mobil 1™ Boost Mobile Racing’s third podium in as many rounds, crossing the line third in race 7 of the championship at Symmons Plains.
For Scott Pye, an untimely clutch issue unfortunately cost him 10 seconds in pitlane, whereupon he came charging back through the field to finish eighth.
JC and Scott qualified in fifth and seventh respectively, after advancing directly through to stage two of the all new-qualifying system - thanks to being in the top-10 in yesterday’s practice.
Subsequently, a clean start saw the boys nose to tail in the opening stint, before JC stopped on lap 20, three laps before Scott. That put him out in traffic, but he carved past two cars in the next two laps, before passing Van Gisbergen two laps later, to move into third. In the finish he held off a late Reynolds challenge to cross the line in third, just behind Lowndes.
For Scott, as the car dropped in the stop, it stalled. Not dropping his head, he went on to set the fastest lap of the race, as he passed eight cars in the last 25-laps to finish eighth.
It’s another step forward for the team as a whole. The boys in the lane was superb again which was another big tick in the bigger picture of a race weekend.
Tomorrow, there is another practice session before another three-stage qualifying session, and 200km race to round out the weekend.
James Courtney
“It was an epic race.
“We came out in a bit of traffic but the car was so speedy, so we were able to get through them.
“The guys gave me a fantastic car, the boys in pit lane were great, everyone did their job so this one is for them.
“The jobs not done though, we need to find a little more pace overnight, and have another good day tomorrow.”
Scott Pye
“We had an issue in pit lane that cost us a heap of time, but the boys gave me an absolute rocket today.
“The pace at the end showed how good it was, it’s a shame we couldn’t fully capitalise, but we’ve got another chance tomorrow.
“The boys in the stop were awesome again, so I’m excited about tomorrow.”