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Clearwater Racing's Mok Weng Sun and
Irishman Matt Griffin benefitted from the
local knowledge of Australian motorsport
legend Craig Baird and made a cautious start
to their first Mt Panorama outing, choosing
to set a solid, if not record breaking
qualifying time and set a steady pace
through the race to complete 268 laps. |
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Maranello Motorsport's star Allan Simonsen set a quick pace from the start in
his Ferrari 458 GT3, but a fuel
miscalculation that saw him run out of fuel
at the top of the mountain cost him the lead
and then a faulty engine sensor put the car out
of the event. |
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A
Ferrari 458 GT3 finished on the podium in the Bathurst 12 hour race thanks to the Singaporean
Clearwater Racing Team while the Australian Team
Maranello Motorsport entry hit problems early on in the
endurance race.
Clearwater Racing's Mok Weng Sun and Irishman Matt
Griffin benefitted from the local knowledge of
Australian motorsport legend Craig Baird and made a
cautious start to their first Mt Panorama outing,
choosing to set a solid, if not record breaking
qualifying time and set a steady pace through the race
to complete 268 laps. The race was won by the Joest
Racing entry crewed by Mies/O'Young/Joens which
successfully defended its 2011 victory again with the
Audi R8 GT3. Second went to the Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 of
Hackett/Slade/Curtis/Bleekmolen. Both cars completed 270
laps.
Meanwhile Maranello Motorsport's star Allan Simonsen set
a quick pace from the start in his Ferrari 458 GT3, but
a fuel miscalculation that saw him run out of fuel at
the top of the mountain cost him the lead and then a
faulty engine sensor put them out of the event, the team
deciding that they had proven they have the pace to win
in the 2012 Australian GT Series and they should repair
the car so it is ready for the season opener.
"We had an unfortunate start, and yes it's disappointing
to see the team leave with a DNF after the incredible
efforts they've all put in," said Mark Coffey, Managing
Director of Maranello Motorsport. "But with more than
credible performances all weekend by each and every
driver, but we can walk away knowing that the team can
take it to the top and that the cause of an early finish
wasn't in any way a reflection on the team's preparation
or the commitment and skill of our drivers . This is
simply the nature of this place!"
As the Maranello Team pulled into the pitlane for the
final time, the rain came down and really did not let up
for the rest of the race and, with grip at a premium,
Clearwater Racing played a mature waiting game, watching
rivals slide off the Mt Panorama track, letting them
climb up the leader board as their Ferrari 458 GT3
performed perfectly for the 12 hour race around
Bathurst.
"It's been an awesome experience," said Singaporean Mok
weng Sun, 2011 Asian GT Champion, at the end of the
race. "I was seriously scared in the final stint. We
have rain back at home, but no mountains like this and
this combined with the narrow track and the slower cars
in the field made it an amazing challenge. That said, I
really want to come back here again!"
The Clearwater Racing team was a blend pulled together
for this race of Singaporeans, Australians, Italians
and, in the shape of Griffin, an Irishman. "The way the
team came together has been fantastic," Griffin said at
the end of the race. "Though I am not sure if they
understood me as I shouted on the radio while sliding
sideways in rain on the main straight! Seriously,
though, we came here with the hope of a podium finish
and that we achieved that is testament to the Ferrari
458 and the team. As for coming back, of course, this is
an amazing race at a unique venue." Completing the team
was talented Australian driving legend, Baird.
"Our goal was a podium, but this is, at the best of
times, a tough place for drivers who have never
experienced Bathurst," said Baird. "But today, it was
the worst of times and Matt and especially Mok weng Sun
in the final stint, did an amazing job in the toughest
conditions Mt Panorama can offer and I am extremely
pleased to have been invited to be part of a fantastic
team with a fantastic car."
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