2017 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 hour: Feb 3-5

[peckstar]

Internet reacts to SVG/Engel Bathurst controversy

interesting response by HTP technical chief Renaud Dufour to craig baird

@cbairdo @shanevg97 where do you put the respect of the team in your words?

The drama followed reports of friction in the joint Scott Taylor Motorsport/HTP Motorsport camp throughout the weekend as the drivers and engineers strived to improve car set-up.

[msd76]

Didn’t Engel excuse Baird pushing the leader before a re-start because they had ‘no straight line speed?’ which I found annoying as the Merc’s had no problem blowing past every Audi they ever came across on the straights.

Any way well done to Marenello, they were fast, consistent and clean all day.

[GTRMagic]

The 488 was good everywhere. No doubt the standard package is already stealthy, the local tuning by the aces from 888 in Mr Dutton & Mr McPherson would have made a significant difference.

There was an interview with Mr Vilander over the weekend, suggesting the team moved his thinking about the car to another level, there til midnight looking at how to make the car better, where in the past he/his team, may not have bothered.

The #22 Benz in Mr Engel's hands looked a great weapon. Mr van Gisbergen admitted he overdrove to catch the Ferrari, and didn't.

Wonder how a Benz with 888 love may have fared..

[carbsmith]

That article reminds me of an important point, which is that by crashing out of a certain second SVG devastated the chances of winning the Intercontinental GT Challenge for Mercedes (and possibly Maro, I don't know if he was scheduled for all 4 races or not) already. I can definitely see the team being unimpressed with the locals' win it or bin it attitude.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

That article reminds me of an important point, which is that by crashing out of a certain second SVG devastated the changes of winning the Intercontinental GT Challenge for Mercedes (and possibly Maro, I don't know if he was scheduled for all 4 races or not) already. I can definitely see the team being unimpressed with the locals' win it or bin it attitude.

thats a really good point. One i shall be using elsewhere. thanks for reminding us

[Rodger Davies]

https://youtu.be/Kp6CD--ozpQ

Last hour of the race from Nismo TV

[McLaren Oz]

I have to back Maro on the SVG comment....drove his arse off all day and to have those incidents at the end of the race, well, I'd be extremely disappointed as well. Bairdo did a fair job all day as well. The mistake out of the dipper was one thing, but the move on the #51 Porsche was nothing short of disgraceful.
Then to park it in the middle of the road at the Chase....spoilt brat tactics.
Maro is my new hero after those comments. To finally hear a driver say what is on his mind rather than what is expected to be heard should be commended. The truth is, Maro is right. For a Supercars champion to make that many mistakes in a single weekend....it's not good enough and Jamie showed his class.

On another note, it was my first 12 Hour and I absolutely loved it. Can't wait for next year and I'll be there for sure!!
Didn't really attend with a though of following/supporting anyone, but fell in love with the Lago Lambo on Friday morning. They had a mega run as well, a good result against more experienced and better funded teams. Would love to see a works-Lamborghini run effort one day - I dare to dream!!!
Have a rather soft spot for the Bentley's as well. I heard on Saturday that they may not be back next year, it was a three year plan and this was the third year. I hope this is incorrect. Those things sounded tough!!!

All in all, a great event. Enjoyed the supports as well. Great value for money weekend. Thanks to the organisers, volunteers and spectators for making it a great event....bring on 2018!!!

[Kingair]

What happened to the Bentley that John Bowe and Melinda Price were going to drive?

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

The 488 was good everywhere. No doubt the standard package is already stealthy, the local tuning by the aces from 888 in Mr Dutton & Mr McPherson would have made a significant difference.

There was an interview with Mr Vilander over the weekend, suggesting the team moved his thinking about the car to another level, there til midnight looking at how to make the car better, where in the past he/his team, may not have bothered.

The #22 Benz in Mr Engel's hands looked a great weapon. Mr van Gisbergen admitted he overdrove to catch the Ferrari, and didn't.

Wonder how a Benz with 888 love may have fared..

Perhaps they'd have tuned it for more straight-line speed, sacrificing it's performance across the top, where it is typically harder to pass? Ludo would've done it that way

Mr Skaife had also offered an interesting insight on how to get the best out of the M6, without torching the tyres. It was a shame Mr Ingall came to grief in it. They would've been up there near the pointy end, as the hours ticked down to naught.

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by Kingair

What happened to the Bentley that John Bowe and Melinda Price were going to drive?

I don't believe they were entered in the 12hr at all.

I think it's just AusGT at this stage.

[bluesport]

SVG deserves any criticism imo, he has made risky moves in this race in the past and it was always going to catch up with him if he continued to do so.........he is a talent behind the wheel though.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

Mr Skaife had also offered an interesting insight on how to get the best out of the M6, without torching the tyres. It was a shame Mr Ingall came to grief in it. They would've been up there near the pointy end, as the hours ticked down to naught.

Story Here

Team were convinced they were on for a win..

[Gaz170]

SVG's driving reminds me of Stefan Bellof - always 11/10ths. I pray it doesn't finish the same way.

[chavez]

For Aussie viewers highlights on 7 on Saturday

http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/new...hlights-seven/

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by Kingair

What happened to the Bentley that John Bowe and Melinda Price were going to drive?

the Melinda price announcement was only ever for Aust Gt.

However the Bentley was an initial entrant, but was withdrawn as (going from memory) they were unable to get the car completed in time and have chosen to have it complete for clipsal instead

[gts300]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Story Here

And in those not one of the co-drivers had anything bad to say about Russell, yes he binned it, yes it cost a well placed finish, but not one harsh word has been made. I'm sure there will be plenty of ribbing once the Mark/Russell duo get back on Foxtel, but that wont be serious, they are all professionals and they all know how the place can bite.

I could really see how much this meant to Russell, the shear devastation in his eyes after he pulled up. I really hope the deal comes together for them to be back next year.

[Umai Naa]

I thought Mr Engel's comments were surprising, given how much endurance racing he does with all sorts of drivers. Just last week he shared a car with Paul Morris, of all people. That car DNF'd too.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Umai Naa

I thought Mr Engel's comments were surprising, given how much endurance racing he does with all sorts of drivers. Just last week he shared a car with Paul Morris, of all people. That car DNF'd too.

There must be some niggle there somewhere, that hasn't shown up before.

[GTRMagic]

Individual laptimes are interesting Here

[Umai Naa]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

There must be some niggle there somewhere, that hasn't shown up before.

Well he did replace Mr van Gisbergen at Erebus.

Betty K, perhaps?

[GTRMagic]

Some big gaps in times in the same car...

[peckstar]

there are some interesting gaps in some of the cars


Gotta say. Chaz Mostert. Surely he earnt himself a pro seat next year?

[Umai Naa]

Some surprises in there. Some very bad, and some very good.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by peckstar

there are some interesting gaps in some of the cars


Gotta say. Chaz Mostert. Surely he earnt himself a pro seat next year?

Imagine a full-pro M6 without problems.. we might not see which way it went!

[one five five]

I know they had their problems, but Chiyo so much slower than the others in the #23?