BEN Grice is preparing for a crucial test of his new Ford Mustang following a costly incident at the National Trans Am Series opener.
Grice’s promising start to the 2023 season at Symmons Plains was turned upside when the #03 entry was struck down by mechanical gremlins while leading Race 2, and then involved in a nasty clash that sent James Simpson into a rollover.
That forced Grice out of the event finale; worse yet, the damage was deemed unrepairable.
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The son of two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Allan has subsequently tracked down a new chassis, to be put through its paces this Wednesday ahead of Round 2 at Phillip Island on May 12-14.
“Wednesday’s test will be important, I’m feeling good. It’s just a matter of getting comfortable and learning this new car,” said Grice.
“The car is basically brand new from the windscreen back, but we know we’ll still be strong and competitive when we return.
“I’m fortunate to have such a wonderful support group around me, with Les Small, Chris, Glenn and Callum, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people.
“I’m so proud of their persistence, hard work, dedication and attention to detail to build a car to come back.
“We just need to have a clean weekend and do what we did at Symmons Plains where we ticked a lot of boxes. We know at Phillip Island we’re going to be fast, we were last year.
“I think we’re due for some good results to repay the guys in the workshop as well as All American Drive Line.”
