Team 18’s Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver Karl Reindler will substitute for the injured Lee Holdsworth at the next two Supercars events.
Charlie Schwerkolt’s team has confirmed its plan for July’s Townsville and Ipswich events following early assessment of Holdsworth’s injuries.
Holdsworth suffered a hairline fracture to his pelvis and damage to the ligaments in his right knee when his Preston Hire Holden struck the concrete in Race 13.
CLICK HERE for the latest on Holdsworth, who was today cleared to return from Darwin to Melbourne.
“The only positive out of the accident is that Karl will get some valuable miles in the next two rounds,” Schwerkolt told Speedcafe.com.
“He’s been in the car three or four times already this year and it’s about learning the car and the team.
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“We aren’t putting any expectations on him, it’s just about learning and becoming one of the best co-drivers out there.”
Although it is hoped that Holdsworth will be able to return for the final pre-Enduro Cup sprint event at Sydney Motorsport Park on August 26-28, a firm duration for his recovery is yet to be determined.
The number of events that Reindler can compete in while still being eligible as a co-driver is at the discretion of Supercars, with no set maximum stipulated.
“There’s still more scans and tests to come, so I think it’ll be a couple of days before we know,” added Schwerkolt of Holdsworth’s recovery time.
“He’s actually in more pain with the knee than the hip at the moment, but we’ll know more in a couple of days.”
Reindler has 92 career Supercars Championship race starts to his name, performing strongly in last year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup alongside Tim Blanchard.
His last solo Supercars start came with Kelly Racing in 2012, which marked his third and final full-time season.
Team 18’s transporter will meanwhile arrive at Paul Morris Motorsport’s workshop on the Gold Coast tomorrow morning.
The team will use PMM and the nearby Pace Innovations to repair and prepare the chassis ahead of Townsville.
“We’ll have a base there (at PMM) where we can set up and sort it all out,” said Schwerkolt.
“We have Jeff (Grech, team manager), our crew chief and two mechanics going up tomorrow morning for when the truck arrives.
“Because Townsville and Ipswich are the next two, we won’t see our car back in Melbourne for about a month.”
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