29 starters will be on the grid at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 after Miles Racing announced its withdrawal from both the ‘Great Race’ and the preceding L&H 500 at Phillip Island.
The Fujitsu V8 Series outfit, which campaigns Chaz Mostert and Ash Walsh, had been granted a single wild-card entry for its drivers in both races, but with just over two weeks until Phillip Island team owner Wayne Miles has pulled the entry.
It means that Phillip Island will have no wild card entries, while Bathurst will have a single extra car on the grid for Kelly Racing which is entering a fifth Commodore for Sunrise weather man Grant Denyer and the winner of the Shannons Supercar Showdown TV show.
“It’s with great regret that we had to withdraw our Wild Card entry in this year’s L&H 500 and Bathurst 1000,” said Miles.
“To be considered good enough to run in the ‘main game’ on our sport’s biggest stage is a real credit to our young team and drivers, but unfortunately some unforeseen circumstances beyond our control will prevent us from ‘living the dream’ this year.”
“The positive we can take from this is that Chaz and Ash will now be able to continue their great run in the Fujitsu Series races with the help of some added resources we had lined up for the endurance races.
“This should see them improve on the pace they displayed at the Queensland Raceway round a few weeks ago.”
The announcement has no effect on the team’s Fujitsu Series campaign, with Miles Racing next on track at Bathurst.