Reynolds fans flames of McLaughlin rivalry

DAVE Reynolds has reignited the biggest feud in Supercars with the Holden driver claiming Scott McLaughlin is not a legitimate champion.

Having already slammed the DJR Team Penske star as “precious”, “boring’’, and “corporatised’’, Reynolds has refused to acknowledge McLaughlin as the V8 victor in their one-on-one war this season.

“He might have the better results,’’ Reynolds said. “But with everything that has gone on, his year will always be questionable. I think there will be question for a while.’’

With DJR Team Penske rocked by a “team orders’’ charge and stripped of a Bathurst qualifying win for using an illegal engine, Reynolds said he has relaxed about his public attack on McLaughlin.

“They have been doing their own damage,’’ McLaughlin said.

“I don’t have to say anything to upset them, they have been doing that themselves.’’

But the war of words that began following a start line crash at the Townsville 400 has kicked off again with Reynolds promising to finish the season with an all-out attack on his sworn enemy.

“We are not friends,’’ Reynolds said.

“He hasn’t spoken to me all year. He doesn’t even look at me anymore. And I don’t want to just get him this weekend.

“I want to get everyone. I want to beat everyone. The best thing you can do for your team is win the last race of the year. Everyone says you are only as good as your last race so by winning the last one you are good for at least three months.’’

Reynolds claimed he was the undisputed winner when it came to his off-track fight with McLaughlin.

He is hoping to go toe-totoe with McLaughlin for the championship next year and has called on Supercars to make sure it is a fair fight.

Holden teams have claimed that the Mustang was unfairly fast this year. “I would love to say that next year will be better,’’ Reynolds said.

“And that we will be in with a championship chance. But the category has to do their due diligence over the off-season and get the whole aero thing right.

“We need a good solid category with strong rules next year.’’

The Newcastle 500 begins with practice on Friday and continues with a 250km race on Saturday and concludes with another on Sunday.