Tech fault hits Bayliss V8 debut
Added on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Tech fault hits Bayliss V8 debut
Former World Superbikes champion Troy Bayliss saw his much anticipated V8 Supercars endurance debut end prematurely after suffering a technical failure on the warm-up lap of the L&H 500 at Phillip Island.
The reigning WSB champion was due to make his first appearance in competitive V8 supercar racing after agreeing to join Dean Fiore in a Paul Morris Motorsports prepared Triple F Racing Holden Commodore.
But his preparations were in vain after an alternator belt snapped whilst Fiore was at the wheel during a warm-up lap, forcing the team to withdraw prematurely from the event.
The incident means that Bayliss will have to wait for the legendary Bathurst event to make his endurance race debut in the ‘tin-top’ series on October 8-11.
“It’s a shame, but these things happen,” said Bayliss, “As soon as the car couldn’t come back under its own steam, we couldn’t start the race. It just wasn’t meant to be today.”
Bayliss at least took part in Saturday’s 14 lap ‘Race B’ build-up event, which he finished one lap down in 29th.
