David Reynolds earned his maiden podium with Erebus Motorsport the hard way in Sunday’s gruelling finale to the Supercars season.

Without a top five finish since Adelaide’s chaotic opening event of the year, Reynolds fended off Jamie Whincup to secure third in the 250km contest.

The result underlined the recent speed of the #9 Holden on street circuits that saw him qualify in the top five twice on the Gold Coast in October.

Speaking in the post-race press conference, Reynolds revealed that there had been a litany of challenges during Sunday’s race, including running out of fluid in the car.

“I can’t remember what lap it was, but Shae Davies my team-mate, stuffed up into the first corner and rejoined … I’ve nearly drilled him and I thought, ‘what was he doing?’” said Reynolds when asked to recall his race.

“Then Whincup got a run on me and (James) Courtney was behind at that point and I was under pressure.

“My comms on my helmet fell out five times during the race and I had to put it in down the front straight, I just managed it.

“I ran out of water in (the car) and boiled myself dry, that was kind of hard work that’s why they gave me a drink at the last pit stop.”

Whincup had made one final attack on Reynolds, diving to the inside at Turn 9 on the last lap.

The two Holdens made minor contact at the apex before Reynolds escaped intact.

“That was a really hard battle,” he said.

“Luckily I had no mirrors. I smashed them all in the Shootout and we had none left… they just had to tape up the sides.

“Apparently he tried to pass but I couldn’t see him so I just turned in and we made a little contact.

“He was probably faster than me but I probably wanted this podium more than he did.”

Reynolds ended the year 17th in the championship, 14 places lower than his career best with Prodrive in 2015.