BROC Feeney’s quest for Repco Bathurst 1000 glory has come to a heartbreaking end with less than 25 laps remaining.
The young Triple Eight star and co-driver Jamie Whincup had been among the pre-race favourites after a commanding victory last month in the Sandown 500.
Car #88 led the opening laps of the race before losing ground having to double-stack in its second and third pitstops behind the sister Shane van Gisbergen/Richie Stanaway entry.
Remarkably, Feeney and Whincup clawed their way back into contention and sat second on lap 137, under five seconds behind the #97 Camaro.
The car then slowed on Conrod Straight, Feeney feverishly pulling at the gear lever in what appeared a second shift-mount related issue for a Triple Eight car today.
“I don’t know what to say. I’m gutted,” said Feeney as the closing stages of the race unfolded.
“We were real fast, the track was coming to us. I don’t know what the fuel numbers were like but we were real fast out there.
“This place can be the best but it also can be the worst. I’m just absolutely gutted.”
Triple Eight’s wildcard Camaro was taken out of contention in the early stages when its gear shift tower broke.
Whincup confirmed the suspected issue as the team worked to replace the part for Feeney to rejoin and salvage championship points.
“It’s such a hard race to win and such an easy one to lose: one small issue and your day is done,” said Whincup, whose most recent of four Bathurst wins came in 2012.
“It seems like a similar thing to what #888 had with the tower for the gearstick has come unstruck and he can’t get any gears, so disappointing.
“Broc did a fantastic job, we represented well, both cars were well and truly there.
“That’s why we run two cars though, you have got to have an each-way bet, so fingers crossed #97 can do the job.”
Van Gisbergen holds a commanding position with 20 laps remaining, with his closest pursuer – Brodie Kostecki – 13 seconds adrift and complaining of a steering issue.
Triple Eight, which entered the Supercars Championship 20 years ago, is gunning to be the first team to win 10 Bathurst 1000s.
