With 100 laps behind the Bathurst 1000, let’s recap what we’ve seen so far.
Pole position holder Brodie Kostecki is second on track behind reigning Bathurst champion Shane van Gisbergen after an incredible weekend of testing and qualifying.
Series leader Kostecki’s cousin and fellow Supercars driver Jake Kostecki came off the back of the grid after stalling at the start.
Fan favorite Craig Lowndes fell two laps behind after a broken lower gear linkage forced him to stop on lap 18.
The unfortunate word would be deja vu for the seven-time Bathurst winner after a similar problem dashed any hopes of victory in the 2016 race.
After more than 100 laps in the Bathurst Supercars 1000, Shane van Gisbergen leads the grid, followed by Brodie Kostecki and Broc Feeney.
Craig Lowndes, Kevin Estre and Jake Kostecki lost positions early in the race (photo, Shell fans at Bathurst)
However, two safety cars triggered by Matt Payne’s co-driver Kevin Estre on lap 27 of his Bathurst debut and Dale Wood on lap 36 helped the 888 driver catch up with the rest of the field.
Payne’s No. 19 Mustang managed to get back to the middle of the pack later in the race, but Estre admitted the mistake cost the team valuable time.
“Shane (van Gisbergen) was in front of me and I pressed the brake too hard, with too much peak during the attack, I locked the front and then I couldn’t unlock it,” did he declare. Detective V8 reports.
“I went into the wall slowly but couldn’t get out. I’m really angry with myself and frustrated because I think we have a good car.”
“We’re back on the lead lap it looks like, that’s good, but we lost quite a few positions on track so I’m a little upset with myself.”
Dale Wood triggered the second safety car after making tire contact with Scott Pye and colliding with the tire wall in the final corner.
Co-driver Andre Heimgartner’s car was then taken out of the race on lap 68 after flames and smoke were seen from the rear.
The BJR cars suffered a dramatic loss of position after colliding with each other, causing Jack Smith’s number four to spin.
Lap 70 saw James Moffat trigger the third safety car of the day after crashing the Monster Energy Mustang at The Dipper.
The accident saw the race restart on lap 74.
The car of Dale Wood and Andre Heimgartner (above) was withdrawn from the race after an accident caused smoke to erupt from the rear.
“I’m extremely disappointed, but I know I’m not the first person to do this and I won’t be the last,” Moffat said.
“I’m just disappointed in myself. I’m proud that I don’t make mistakes like that.
“Sorry to the whole team, all the guys, I see them, they’re back to work and trying to put things back together.
“We were definitely fighting with one, maybe both hands tied behind our backs today, buddy.” It was difficult there, but that doesn’t excuse what I did.
The cars began heading to the pit lane for the mandatory brake change.