It’s all fair and square
McLaughlin slams brake on idea of Bathurst paybacks
VOLVO speedster Scott McLaughlin has laughed off James Courtney’s claims of Bathurst squareups on the streets of Surfers Paradise, claiming the Holden Racing Team veteran “talks a lot of (expletive)”.
McLaughlin’s dreams of a breakthrough Bathurst win were dashed in the controversial incident with Jamie Whincup which overshadowed Will Davison’s Mount Panorama fairytale victory. Whincup crossed the finish line first but was relegated to 11th spot by a 15-second penalty, which Triple Eight unsuccessfully appealed.
McLaughlin, who was effectively leading the race, went on to finish 15th and was also penalised after colliding with Garth Tander.
McLaughlin said he would never see eye-toeye with Whincup on the incident.
“We’ve got completely separate views on it and that’s how it’s always going to be,” McLaughlin said. “We’re both racing for the same bit of road.
“He thinks he was in control. I don’t think he was. It was one of those things where it was an absolute cluster.
“We’re always going to have completely separate views.
“He’s entitled to his opinion and I respect him immensely as a driver.
“I think we will have some massive battles in the future.”
Despite the disappoint- ing Bathurst finish, McLaughlin is running fifth in the Supercars Championship standings.
He admitted his Bathurst disappointment would fuel his Gold Coast 600 campaign this weekend but rejected Courtney’s claims there would be “square-ups” on the track.
“He always talks a lot of (expletive),” McLaughlin said.
“I wouldn’t say it’s (Bathurst) kept me up at night but it’s definitely in the back of my mind.
“You want to come out here and go really well.
“I’m feeling really positive. It’s probably spurred me on a bit.
“It was a bit disappointing how it all ended, that’s for sure.”
McLaughlin, 23, set a cracking pace in practice yesterday and will be a leading contender in today’s 300km test.
“The signs are good. The car is feeling nice,” he said. “I’m pretty confident we can get a good result but we’ve got a long way to go.”