The New Zealand based Motorsport Services team of Scott O’Donnell, Bob Grove and Allan Dippie has finished the Bathurst 12 Hour in 13th position, claiming third in Class C. The BMW 130i completed 191 laps over the duration of the race, 11 laps shy of race winners Paul Morris, John Bowe and Gary Holt.
The trio managed to creep from 34th to 13th in what was an outstanding effort, especially with a team of drivers who had never tackled the mountain.
Inky Tulloch and Australian team mates Rod Salmon and Damian White were forced to retire after debris caused a hole in the header on lap 156.
“Great result for a ‘dream’ team. We hoped to be in the top three in class and we got there,” reflected O’Donnell at the end of a gruelling day.
Grove was in awe of the team’s effort, remarking, “What can you say? Arriving here on Thursday with no idea what was ahead of me, an untested car so really we were in the deep end.”
Allan Dippie, who brought them home said, “If you told us this morning that we would be in the top 20, we wouldn’t have believed you. We thought we had possibility of a class podium, we had a really good strategy and that’s what it was about.”
All drivers have shown interest in making a return next year, hoping to improve on their pleasing result.
A huge accident has marred the last three hours, taking the entries of Peter Hill, Tim Leahey and Eric Bana and Jim Hunter, Dean Herridge and Barton Mawer out of the race.
TMR’s Rod Salmon, Damian White and Inky Tulloch currently sit in first position with Salmon taking over from Tulloch.
“I had a good run, which I’m happy with.” Tulloch went on to say, “Rod and I practiced out pit-stops and we got down to about 20 seconds and we managed to get ahead of the leaders.”
A little further back the team of Scott O’Donnell, Bob Grove and Allan Dippie sit second in Class C and 11th overall, continuing their fight from 34th. Bob Grove is set to take over from O’Donnell in the near future.
Grove said, “We’ve had a consistent run. Our plan is just to finish the race. I’ll just try and get a rhythm going and keep our position.”
Light rain has been falling over the circuit intermittently, and looks like to continue in the final three hours of the race.
The infamous unknown element of Bathurst has struck Mt Panorama in the last three hours. The skies opened up and heavy rain has caused mini rivers flowing across the track, causing an hour long safety car period.
Right on the six hour mark, a large tree fell across Conrod Straight, forcing the procession to stop on top of the mountain with no way past. No car was in the part of the track at the time of the accident.
With six hours to go, the team of Rod Salmon, Damian White and Inky Tulloch sit in second position, with Tulloch behind the wheel.
The self proclaimed adventure tourists Scott O’Donnell, Bob Grove and Allan Dippie have crept up to 14th spot. Dippie has completed his time behind the wheel and the trio is currently second in Class C.
The weather is clearing, and green flag action is set to return once the track is cleared.
Photo: Motorsport Services team of Scott O’Donnell, Bob Grove and Allan Dippie
The TMR entry of Rod Salmon, Damian White and New Zealand’s Inky Tulloch currently sits in first position with 60 laps recorded. After starting in fourth position, Damian White charged through to take the lead at Forrest Elbow on lap 16.
Rod Salmon is currently in the car, with Kiwi Inky Tulloch set to jump in at some stage in the next hour.
“Damian’s done a great job. Now it’s a matter of how we go from here,” Tulloch commented. “He said the car’s strong and there are no dramas.”
The Motorsport Services team of Scott O’Donnell, Bob Grove and Allan Dippie has been quietly sneaking through the field, reaching 16th position and the three hour mark, putting them fifth in Class C. O’Donnell completed the first stint before handing over the car to Grove with Dippie getting in to the car on the three hour mark.
“It’s a mix between exhilaration and hard work!” exclaimed Grove. “I was trying to be tidy and clean, and I think I did that.”
