Battling drivers return to scene

THE feud between DJR Team Penske and Erebus is set to continue with Scott McLaughlin unrepentant for causing the collision that started his war with Dave Reynolds.

Returning to the scene of the crime a year after the crash that sparked the bitter rivalry, McLaughlin declared he was not sorry for the incident that started another famous Ford v Holden fight.

The Mustang driver also revealed he had barely spoken to Reynolds since the pair collided on the first lap of last year’s Townsville 400.

“We have really spoken too much over the last year,” McLaughlin said.

“That doesn’t matter because we are racers and we race for the same real estate. We just get on with the job. My aim is to beat everyone on the track, including Dave, and so far we are going all right.”

He said he had no regrets about turning in and making contact with Reynolds last year. The Holden driver was trying to pass on the inside following a fast start.

“No not at all,” McLaughlin said.

“I was pretty confident with where I was putting my (car) and I am pretty sure Dave would say the same thing.

“His line is that you are not a race car driver if you are not going for a gap so whatever, it is what it is and we are all battling for the same real estate. We will push on. It was a disagreement but it was a long time ago now.”

The war of words erupted when McLaughlin slammed Reynolds as a “desperado” for attempting the inside pass.

“It was pretty full-on, wasn’t it? Especially lap one,” he said post-race. “Everybody’s battling for visibility and traction, it’s risk management on days like today. Dave was just a desperado. He can say what he wants; I went down and saw him and he said I turned in or whatever.”

Reynolds was quick to launch a series of attacks.

“He is very precious these days,” he said.

“He is not what he used to be. It is a different Scott to what we knew years ago. That is what I feel anyway but I don’t think I am alone.”