Reynolds not done yet

MOST people think Dave Reynolds has done his dash.

Labelled the giant-killer, and the season surprise packet after storming out of the blocks to challenge Scott McLaughlin (DJR Team Penske) earlier this year, Reynolds suffered a wipe-out at Winton to slip to fourth in the championship.

And most think that is just about where he belongs.

“Yeah some people might think we were over-achieving,’’ Reynolds said.

“But we weren’t. Winton was just a slip-up.’’

On the eve of the Darwin Triple Crown — with practice to start tomorrow at Hidden Valley Raceway — the Erebus Motorsport driver has declared his championship dream is still alive.

Reynolds is adamant his 25th and 15th at Winton last round were the anomaly — not the four podiums and five top-10s that saw him emerge as DJR Team Penske’s biggest title threat.

“Winton wasn’t the best for us,’’ Reynolds said.

“And we did take a dip in the championship order. But that was just a slip. We are forever learning when we hit the track and it is just a matter of getting the car right. Most of the time, we get it right and sometimes we get it wrong. That was just one of the times we got it wrong. We just missed the mark and put ourselves at the wrong end of the order.’’

Reynolds claimed his confidence had not been dented by the slip. The former Holden driver, best known for throwing flower pots, drinking from his boot and dating a Miss Universe aspirant, is adamant he is still in contention for his breakthrough V8 crown.

“I am definitely still in the hunt,’’ Reynolds said.

“There is a clear leader at the minute in Scott but he can still have bad rounds. He will make mistakes and we just have to be there to capitalise on it. We have to make the most of every opportunity. We will have our ups and downs but it isn’t rocket science — it is just racing.’’

Reynolds will begin his rescue mission this weekend by trying to claim the Darwin “Triple Crown’’ — which despite its name only consists of two races.

“We always go well here,’’ Reynolds said.

Reynolds is also confident of scoring big later this year when more points are on offer in the endurance races after claiming last year’s Bathurst.

“That certainly has given me plenty of confidence,’’ Reynolds said.