Erebus Motorsport’s Penrite-backed #36 SLS AMG GT3 finished fifth in today’s Bathurst 12 Hour race for the second year in a row.
Driving the #36 car, David Reynolds, Thomas Jaeger, and Nico Bastian made fantastic headway, leading the race on several occasions, after starting 18th on the grid.
Whilst in the lead, Reynolds had a tyre come off the rim, caused by a wheel-related issue, which dropped him a lap.
The sister #63 entry, backed by Plus Fitness, and driven by Bernd Schneider, Austin Cindric, and Maro Engel, received a black flag a third of the way through the race for a loose diffuser, resulting in the trio going down three laps, before they made a remarkable recovery, rejoining the lead lap.
A tyre failure caused by debris then resulted in the car hitting the wall at turn two yielding a DNF.
Acknowledging the highs and lows of the weekend as a whole, Erebus Motorsport GT Team Principal, Daniel Klimenko, was realistic about the challenging nature of the endurance event.
“As usual, the 12 Hour delivered the full spectrum of ups, downs, and everything in between,” said Klimenko.
“From when we arrived earlier this week, until this afternoon, we’ve experienced everything!
“From mishaps in pit lane, to incidents on track, hitting the wall, having a fast car, chasing speed – you name it, we’ve done it!
“Unfortunately this weekend hasn’t been quite the farewell for the SLS AMG GT3 we wanted – the car deserved a better send off.
“At times, we showed amazing pace, but just as the 12 Hour delivers, it also takes away.”
Erebus Motorsport’s GT program will head to Adelaide next for the first round of the 2016 Australian GT Championship at the Clipsal 500.