Race driver ‘not mentally there’
Australian Bathurst 1000 driver David Reynolds has admitted he ‘‘wasn’t mentally there’’ when he decided to stay in the car while suffering severe cramp late in the Great Race around Mt Panorama.
Reynolds and Erebus Motorsport team-mate Luke Youlden missed out on a slice of Bathurst immortality after enjoying arriving at the 1000-kilometre classic as champions and dominating early in the weekend as fastest in qualifying.
And they were leading inside the last hour of the race, only for Reynolds to suffer the debilitating ailment as he aimed for home.
‘‘I’m so devastated. We had the fastest car all day,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve never had that happen before in anything I’ve ever driven . . . I can’t believe it.’’
After reporting the issue and seeing second-placed Craig Lowndes eating into his lap times, Reynolds’ pit team sprung into action. Youlden, who was completing a warm down, threw back on his race suit and helmet in case he was needed.
On the track, Lowndes jumped Reynolds just before the window opened for his final pit stop of the day. Insisting on continuing, Reynolds took on hydrating drinks and Berocca in the hope of battling on.
Unfortunately, he spun his wheels while hoisted – bringing a drivethrough penalty which killed his race hopes. He pitted once more after serving the punishment, handing over racing duties to his co-driver, who finished 13th.
Reynolds needed to be helped from his Commodore and sat slumped in the garage with his head in his hands.
‘‘I just can’t believe it,’’ he repeated, as if in a trance. ‘‘My leg was cramping big time. When Lowndes passed me . . . I couldn’t tell if I was on the brake or on the throttle.
‘‘I wasn’t mentally there. I was lost. ‘‘My body gave up after that. I’m so disappointed for everybody involved.’’
Team principal Betty Klimenko said it was a bittersweet day.
‘‘It’s sweet to see Craig go out with a Bathurst win, but it’s bitter because we led all weekend and in 90 per cent of the race,’’ she said.