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Reynolds back for Bathurst 1000 redemption

3 minute read

Holden star David Reynolds is back on track in his bid to avenge a disastrous 2018 Bathurst 1000, with his team pulling off a remarkable overnight rebuild.

DAVID REYNOLDS
DAVID REYNOLDS Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

An all-nighter in the garage has ensured Holden star David Reynolds is back on the road to Bathurst 1000 redemption in a rebuilt Commodore.

But Reynolds still faces a daunting challenge to claim a second Great Race, after struggling in a wet qualifying session on Friday to finish 22nd fastest.

Then again, Reynolds will simply be happy to be back behind the wheel again, barely 24 hours after his Bathurst hopes were all but written off.

Reynolds' quest to bounce back from a disastrous 2018 campaign appeared over on Thursday after co-driver Luke Youlden hit the wall.

His Penrite Racing team admitted they would be lucky to get the Commodore back in shape for qualifying late on Friday afternoon.

However, after they worked around the clock, Youlden was back on track for Friday morning's opening one-hour practice which was restricted to co-drivers.

"They worked their arses off," team official Barry Ryan said.

"After the massive effort last night ... the car's fine. It's exactly as it was before he crashed it."

Youlden overcame his mental demons to finish 12th fastest in his session.

"I did battle mentally a bit," he said.

"I just wanted to make sure it came back (to the garage).

"I can't apologise enough for yesterday."

The dramatic re-build also ensured Reynolds had valuable time behind the wheel in Friday's final practice before qualifying started.

But nothing could quite prepare Reynolds for what was to come at qualifying, with rain ensuring treacherous conditions on the mountain.

Still, 2017 Bathurst champion Reynolds will be out for redemption when he starts at the back of the grid in Sunday's Great Race after his bid for successive wins had been sabotaged last year by severe cramp.

Reynolds backed Youlden to overcome Thursday's incident and push for their second Great Race title together in three years.

"He's getting himself back up to speed," he said.

"It was super important, super necessary to give him some quality laps out there because, after a big shunt, your confidence level can get cut in half."

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