Nick Percat has fired a shot across the bows of Dunlop Series rival Chaz Mostert after coming out on top in a tense Race 2 battle at Mount Panorama.
The Walkinshaw Racing Holden-mounted Percat held out the Ford Performance Racing Falcon by just 0.13s after a race-long battle that included a bad sportsmanship flag being awarded to the eventual winner for overly defensive tactics.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s full race report, results and updated points standings
Percat went on the offensive, however, in the post-race media conference – clearly taking umbrage to Mostert’s use of the term “rookie error” when describing a mid-race touch between the FPR Ford and the concrete wall in the closing stages.
“You’ve been here three years too, you’re no rookie,” he said bluntly in front of a shocked media room. “You’ve been going (to Bathurst for) the same amount of years as me.”
Mostert responded by pointing out Percat’s winning appearance in last year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 as a source of extra experience over the three rounds of Bathurst Dunlop Series running that they have both completed.
Adding his own spice to the situation, Mostert then added: “See you at Winton”.
Asked to elaborate on his comments after the media conference, Percat explained his frustration.
“I’m just a little bit sick of hearing everyone call him a rookie when he actually made his debut here the same year I did in a V8 Supercar,” he said.
“It’s all good. He’s driving well (and) he’s got a good car and good team so it’s going to be a good battle hopefully for your whole careers.”
Mostert’s pair of second place finishes across the Bathurst weekend sees him take a 20 point lead over Scott McLaughlin heading into the penultimate round and Winton, with Percat now 104 points further adrift in third.
Percat will share the #2 Holden Racing Team Commodore with Garth Tander in tomorrow’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, while Mostert will again watch from the sidelines.
See below for Speedcafe.com’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Race Guide.
