Bathurst 12: Event hour four notes

Rally Champion crashes out as Denyer encounters tyre issue

Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans' campaign in the WPS Bathurst 12 Hour Showroom Enduro has come to an end after he spun the #31 Toyota Celica exiting the Skyline section of the circuit on lap 66.

The impact with the concrete wall caused significant damage to the front of his car and forced the safety car to be deployed. Evans was unhurt by the crash.

Grant Denyer is clawing his way back up the order and is attempting to recover the lost laps the team endured when they encountered a clutch problem earlier in the race.

In a scary moment, Denyer's Mitsubishi Lancer had a front right tyre 'blow out' entering the fastest part of the circuit, the Chase, as he was passing the race leader to recover one of his lost laps while racing at in excess of 200 km/h.

Luckily, Denyer was able to gain control of the car without spearing off the circuit enter the pit area to enable his team to replace the damaged tyre. He returned to the circuit in 25th position.

After making some good progress throughout the opening few hours, the Holden Sportwagon drivers of Russell Ingall, Andy Jones and Nathan Pretty were in seventh position. However, near the end of the hour the car entered the pit area to check a potential clutch issue.

The leaders have completed 77 laps.

-credit: bathurst12hour.com.au