Long term Dayco Ambassador David Russell starred in the 60th Anniversary Bathurst 1000

Co-driving with Supercars Championship leader Brodie Kostecki in the Coca-Cola powered by Erebus #99 Camaro, David set the fastest lap in the opening co-driver practice session, being the only driver to set a lap time in the 2:05 minute bracket, more than half a second faster than the entire field at that point.
Considering the co-driver field included former Supercars champions Jamie Whincup and Garth Tander, among many other highly experienced racers, David set the benchmark for how the weekend would progress for the team. Brodie then qualified on provisional Pole, following this up with a thrilling fastest Top Ten Shootout lap.
By Saturday afternoon it was clear the combination would be one to beat, fastest in all but one session of the weekend by significant margins. This along with having no accidents or mechanical issues placed them in a formidable position for the race.
Starting from Pole, David made a strong start, slotting in behind Jamie Whincup to hold second where he remained until the first driver change under yellows on lap 28.
The second Safety Car was called on lap 40 resulting in a double stack pit stop with the #99 the first of the two Erebus Camaros to be serviced.
Lap 64 saw the second driver change with David taking the reins for his final 27 lap stint as the unchallenged race leader.
Another Safety Car was deployed on lap 70 and unfortunately, the team had pitted just six laps earlier, so the #99 charged on, but this saw the eventual winners (Shane Van Gisbergen and Richie Stanaway) gain a 13 second fuel advantage.
The Erebus duo led a total of 38 laps and despite Brodie’s fast pace in the closing stages, it wasn’t enough to beat the Kiwis at the end. This second place was also the second podium Bathurst 1000 finish for the pair in three years and followed yet another second place at the Sandown 500.

“Brodie was outstanding as always and the team did an excellent job, mega car speed, great pit work; we had everything in place to try and win it. We’ll be back next year even stronger and faster, that’s for sure,” David said.
The Dayco sponsored racer was performing double duties at Bathurst once again this year, piloting his EBM Porsche Carrera Cup car. He was joined by a new sponsor, Australian family owned tool company, Prokit, which promoted its “trade trusted” PK Tool brand on his #99 Porsche Cup Car.
After leading the Carrera Cup qualifying, a fuel pressure problem saw him unable to complete it, relegating him to ninth for the first of three races.
With prior Bathurst Porsche Carrera Cup race wins and fastest laps under his belt, David showed his Mount Panorama speed to race his way to start from fourth by Sunday’s third and final race where his PK Tool Porsche was unfortunately rear impacted on the first lap, relegating him to 14th by the end of the short nine lap race.
A massive crowd of 204,069 people attended the event, the third highest total in the event’s history, while many millions more watched the event on television and via live streaming.
“We couldn’t be prouder of what Dayco Dave has achieved at Bathurst this year, he just gets faster and faster across the 12 years that he has been an ambassador for our company and his effort this year at Bathurst was just incredible,” Dayco Australia Managing Director, Arnold Mouw, said.
“As sponsor of the fastest Supercar co-driver in the field, all of us at Dayco look forward to next year at the mountain where I’m sure the next step up on the podium beckons.”
The Dayco brand could not be missed at Mount Panorama with the logo onboard with Super2 driver Aaron Love, who took an exciting inaugural Supercar race victory for the Blanchard Racing Team. Dayco was also aboard the Cooldrive Mustang in the Bathurst 1000 which was headed towards a points earning finish until mechanical failures ended their challenge.

For more information, visit www.dayco.com