PREPARATIONS for Dick Johnson Racing’s first Bathurst 1000 wildcard have been dealt a blow, with Swiss star Simona De Silvestro’s arrival Down Under delayed.
DJR announced this afternoon “an emergency operation to remove her appendix” has resulted in De Silvestro being unable to travel in time for the scheduled first two tests next week.
Plans are now being altered, the team has indicated.
Unlike the Blanchard Racing Team and Triple Eight’s wildcards, which will also tackle the upcoming Sandown 500, De Silvestro and Kai Allen will only contest the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.
“Simona De Silvestro was due to land in Australia later this week ahead of wildcard testing at Queensland Raceway on the 4th and 5th of September,” read the DJR statement.
“However due to an emergency operation required to remove her appendix over the weekend, her arrival date in Australia has been pushed back.
“Simona is recovering well in Switzerland and at this stage is anticipated to join the team in Australia in mid-September.
“Alternative plans are being arranged for wildcard testing ahead of the Repco Bathurst 1000.
“The Shell V-Power Racing Team wishes Simona a speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing her soon!”
The DJR wildcard Mustang has already been shaken down, by Jett Johnson and Valentino Astuti earlier this month.
The car will carry the #98 and is due to compete in Shell colours.
