Hackett and Mercedes Looking Ominous at the Island

Peter Hackett and his Mercedes AMG SLS  has sent a strong message to all competitors ahead of tomorrow’s qualifying session by topping two out of the three practise sessions at round 5 of the Vodka O Australian GT Championship being held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit today.

Hackett and the impressive Team Erebus Racing Mercedes finished the day only 1/10th of second quicker than the recently built Vodka O Mosler of Dean Grant and the Penfold Audi Sport Audi R8 LMS of Mark Eddy which Hackett said he was happy about.

“This circuit should suit the Mercedes SLS as it has long straights and constant radius corners which this car loves, so I’m not surprised at our pace, but the Audi and Dean’s car are also very strong, so we’ll need to keep pushing to stay ahead,” he said.

Current Championship leader Klark Quinn suffered through a difficult day as a re-occurring electrical issue meant no serious running for the V.I.P. Petfoods Mosler MT900.

“At one stage it was looking like we were going to have to withdraw the car for the weekend, which would have been disastrous for the Championship, but the guys think they have worked it out” he said.

“I’m heading out this afternoon to do a few laps to just make sure we will be ok because I simply cannot afford not to be on the circuit come Sunday morning.”

Challenge Class new comers Rob Knight and John Modystach have both enjoy a trouble free and somewhat successful debut in GT Racing with both their 997 Porsche Cup Cars featuring in the top half of the time sheets all day.

Modystach and Knight both have co drivers for the event, and Modystach said that both he and Rob are benefiting from their highly rated co-drivers feedback.

“I have Jonny Reid in my car and Rob has Marcus Marshall, and just in the few sessions we completed today we have picked up a heap of time,” he said.

“Rob and I have never been to Phillip Island in our Porsche's, and it’s the kind of place where you never stop learning, and so far we are loving it and can’t wait for tomorrow.”

CAMS Tourist Trophy front runner Greg Crick had a mixed day with his JEEP Viper suffering a pit lane speed limit error on the track.

“Every now and then the pit lane speed limiter would engage, right in the middle of the lap,” said the veteran racer.

“We were able to get it fixed, but it was frustrating and stopped us from getting any real data about the car today.”

Day two of round five of the Vodka O Australian GT Championship will see Australia’s most exotic race cars complete one practice session followed by the all important 40 minute qualifying session at 2.35pm.

GT racing will begin at 10.35am on Sunday with free entry for all Dad’s to celebrate Fathers Day.
The Vodka O Australian GT Championship is a National motor racing series pitting some of the world’s most exotic and exciting race cars against each other in a mix of sprint and endurance race formats on some of Australia’s most challenging circuits including Mt Panorama Bathurst, the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and the Adelaide Parklands street circuit for the Clipsal 500
Vodka O GT Championship Standings

 
GT Challenge Class Leader

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For further information please contact:
Matt Mackelden
PR Manager
Vodka O Australian GT Championship
0449 251 099

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