The all-New Zealand Ferrari entry is expected to be the final car to arrive at Mount Panorama this evening following its delayed release from quarantine.
A shipping mix-up forced the Trass Family Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 to arrive in Sydney late ahead of the opening four 60-minute practice sessions tomorrow for the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
The team, which has formed a partnership with the Melbourne Maranello Motorsport squad, will be forced into a scramble to prepare the car overnight.
Drivers Jono Lester, John McIntyre and Graeme Smyth all undertook a track walk this afternoon as the team eagerly awaited news of the arrival time of the Ferrari.
“We’ve been told early evening. About 8pm-9pm which is a hell of a lot better than midnight which is what we were previously told,” team manager Richard Lester said.
Among the work the team faces tonight is the installation of the FIA mandated ballast, wiring in all of the timing systems, driver identification sensors and upgraded parts following its only run for the team at the Highlands 101 late last year.
“There’s a lot of little jobs, upgraded parts that we thought we’d have two days to do but it turned to custard,” Lester said.
“We will still be out for P1, we will just prioritise the jobs to fit.
“We will work to a point where the car is okay for the track and then we will see what time it is.
“I’m not going to make the boys work all night, there is no point.
“I want to be out of here by 2am at the latest otherwise you are destroyed for the next day.
“The main thing is we have to be legal weight.”
Other Kiwi entries caught up in Trans-Tasman delays were several Motorsport Services Porsches in Class B.
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