A recovering Jack Perkins has withdrawn from this weekend’s Super2 mini-enduro at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 to focus on the main game race.
Perkins was set to perform double duties, driving alongside James Courtney for Walkinshaw Andretti United in the main game, and for Eggleston Motorsport in Super2.
However, Perkins has confirmed he’s withdrawn from the latter as he continues to recover after being hospitalised with the flu last week.
“Unfortunately I had to make the decision last night that doing both the Super2 and the main series just a bit of a stretch with where I’m at at the moment,” Perkins admitted.
“Was a pretty tough decision to make. Obviously Rachael and Ben (Eggleston) run a great team and I feel like I’ve let them down a bit.
“I’ve just got to prioritise Sunday’s race, and that’s what we’ve done.
“The team have withdrawn the car and we won’t be running the rest of the weekend in Super2.”
Perkins revealed he was absent from the team’s test day at Winton last weekend after being diagnosed, and hospitalised with, Influenza B.
“Last week I was in hospital with flu B, was diagnosed with flu B,” he explained.
“(I was) In bed most of the week last week, didn’t get to the Winton test day and just never had the flu before.
“When you’ve got Type 1 Diabetes there’s a flow on, so we’re just making sure I’m in good nick.
“I’m fine in the car, I just did a race run in the 22 car (in Practice 4), so it’s all good.
“(I) Just didn’t want to be in a position where I had a lapse of concentration or something silly in the DVS (Super2) car that jeopardises that program but also the main game.
“I feel fine, just not me normal self. Still got a couple of days until Sunday so she’s fine.”
In the opening Super2 practice session on Thursday he was 10th fastest before withdrawing from the remainder of the weekend.
Speedcafe.com has confirmed with Walkinshaw Andretti United that Perkins is expected to fulfil his co-driving duties alongside Courtney without issue.