SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND FOR GROVES AT BATHURST

PRESS RELEASE/Grove Racing – Photos: Darin Mandy

Stephen Grove and Brenton Grove enjoyed a fruitful weekend at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in their respective categories.

In Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia, Stephen took an impressive two TAG Heuer Pro-Am class victories from the three races across the weekend.

He also won the Pro-Am Endurance Cup, leaving Bathurst with an unassailable lead in that particular series following a brilliant Race 1 win in 10th outright.

In Race 2, Grove was able to extend his points advantage after moving to the top of the Pro-Am class standings with a sensational victory in the second hit out.

A third place result in the final race of the weekend on the Sunday of the Great Race was all the Melburnian needed to cement his place at the top of the Pro-Am leaderboard alongside fellow Pro-Am competitor Tim Miles.

The solid Bathurst round leaves him well positioned to take his third Pro-Am title, with Stephen now sitting 153 points ahead of his closest points rival with only 180 left on offer this season.

“It was quite a positive weekend,” said Stephen.

“Qualifying was really tricky in the wet, which was extremely different to any other conditions we experienced for the remainder of the weekend.

“We moved up in Race 1 and got the win and with it sealed the Endurance Cup Pro-Am title.

“I did enter the race with the Endurance Cup in mind. I really wanted to wrap up the title here to take a bit of pressure off going forward.

“I’ve just got to keep finishing, gathering points and being smart for the remaining races.

“Race 2 we just consolidated our position, but overall, I’m really happy with how the weekend played out.”

It was also an exceptional weekend in the Dunlop Super2 Series as Brenton scored a season best top 10 result in the 250km enduro race on Saturday with co-driver Earl Bamber.

The pair raced their way from last to 10th in a stellar performance, with Brenton setting a strong foundation for Earl after starting the almost two-hour encounter.

The two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner and current World Endurance Champion went from 13th to 10th on the final lap to secure a season-best result for the #10 Grove Motorsport outfit.

“For me, I just wanted to stay out of trouble and really keep pushing and learning and we did that,” said Brenton.

“I handed over the car to Earl [Bamber] in tenth and he brought it home in tenth, which is the best finish we’ve had, so it was a good day.

“Starting last, I didn’t expect us to make up 11 spots, but like I said, all we had to do was manage the race and not make mistakes like everyone else did.

“We did that and did a good job, brought the car home straight, not a touch on the car and a great result.

“It means a lot because this round is double points, so for me, it should hopefully move me up a few spots in the championship.

“It’s the first time we’ve had a bit of luck go our way and we were really able to challenge without having too much go wrong.”

The 2018 Dunlop Super2 Series will wrap up at the Newcastle 500 from November 23-25.

Meanwhile, Carrera Cup Australia will have its final round on the streets of Surfers Paradise in support of the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 from October 19-21.

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