The stage is set for the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000 after a productive day of final practice sessions for Team 18 at Mount Panorama. Both the DEWALT Racing and TRADIE Beer Racing Camaros showed notable improvements, giving the team confidence heading into the main event.

Mark Winterbottom and Michael Caruso, driving the #18 DEWALT Racing Camaro, wrapped up the day with encouraging results, finishing 20th in Practice 5 and 18th in Practice 6. The morning session was reserved for co-drivers, with Caruso taking the wheel, while both he and Winterbottom joined forces for the afternoon run after an overnight overhaul of their setup.

Winterbottom and Caruso reflected positively on the car’s turnaround after a challenging build-up, as they look ahead to race day tomorrow.

Meanwhile, in the #20 TRADIE Beer Racing Camaro, David Reynolds and Warren Luff tackled a demanding day after an overnight rebuild of their car.

Luff posted 24th in Practice 5 before Reynolds finished a more promising 13th in Practice 6, as the team worked to dial in the setup ahead of race day.

Reynolds, recovering from a crash earlier in the weekend, praised the team’s effort but acknowledged there’s still work to do, while Luff echoed the team’s optimism after a heroic effort from the crew to rebuild the TRADIE Beer Camaro.

The action kicks off tomorrow with the traditional warm-up at 8:15 am, followed by the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000 at 11:30 am AEDT. Fans can catch the race live on Channel 7, Fox Sports, and Kayo.

RESULTS & QUOTES

Mark Winterbottom, driver #18 DEWALT Racing Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Practice 5: 20th

Practice 6: 18th

“It feels a lot better. The car is a lot more comfortable to drive. I feel a lot more happy now going into the race tomorrow with what we’ve got. I feel a couple of days behind, to be honest, but I feel really comfortable.

“We’ll tune her up a little bit more and go racing tomorrow, but our weekend’s really started today with what we’ve got, hopefully we stay out of trouble tomorrow, have a fast car, and we can end up in the mix somewhere, because that was a lot better session than we’ve had all weekend.”

Michael Caruso, co-driver #18 DEWALT Racing Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“Our car improved today which is good. Now we’ll go away and have a look at what the strategy’s going to look like.

“We’ll assess after what’s been six practice sessions to work it out. Ultimately it’s going to come down to a lot of teamwork.

“I feel like the guys need a good rest tonight, we’ll try to get into bed early, ready for a big day.

“We turned the car upside down overnight and gone to a more familiar set up, which has improved it quite a lot. I’m a lot more comfortable in the car, and that helps a lot when you see a lot of accidents going out there, I think that’s going to help us tomorrow.”

David Reynolds, driver #20 TRADIE Beer Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Practice 5: 24th

Practice 6: 13th

“I’m not gun shy after the crash, but I just want to make everything perfect. We’ve done a lot of work in a short time. We’ve got a warm up to really sort out our car.

In practice five and six, the car wasn’t really feeling the best.

“I think Frosty’s car got a good direction and I’m going to go through the data with Krusty and see what works.

“We can copy theirs or roll out the warmup and, hope and pray it’s going to be awesome. But either way, I think the track changes that much and we can change it during the race, the ride heights and droop, roll bars and all that stuff, we can make a difference.

“You never know where we’ll end up, but I’m looking forward to it.

“Luffy’s been awesome. He’s been great to work with. Just a happy, awesome guy to be with, and brings really positive vibes, and I love that sort of feeling.”

Warren Luff, co-driver #20 TRADIE Beer Racing Team 18 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

“Tomorrow is the big one. That’s what we’re here for. The guys did a great job last night getting us back on track today, and we’ve gone through a whole bunch of things that we’re working towards in terms of a race car. So look, we’re confident going into the race.

“We know that obviously qualifying didn’t go our way but we’re confident that we’ve got the car to be able to deliver tomorrow.

“Massive effort to everyone on the crew. That was a heroic effort. So I really can’t thank them enough. It’s been amazing to see the effort that they went to, to turn that car around.

“Obviously the car that came back was pretty average and to be able to roll out this morning, to not miss a lap of practice at any stage throughout the day is a full credit to everyone on the team.”