UPDATE : The Race Stays Clean

The #17 Ill Bello Rosso rejoined the action after the problem was discovered to be a faulty fuel gauge, sending warnings throughout the car. Two laps down, Simonsen began the charge to get back onto the lead lap.

Earlier problems with the #21 Black Falcon SLS were diagnosed as a broken bolt and wishbone, leaving only five cars on the lead lap. Mies pitted from the lead to take on fuel and tyres as Christer Joens jumped in to take his turn behind the #1 Audi. Its sister car, the “Australian” #2 Audi, saw Craig Lowndes take over from Warren Luff, coming out in front of their teammate Joens.

Leading Class B was the #3 Hunter Sports Group, Class C – #62 queenslandhouseandland.com Lotus Exige S, Class D – #53 Boss Plaster Holden HSV GTS and Class E – #50 Racer Industries Holden HSV VX-R.

Update: Lap record: 2m06.45 – Lap 24

0715 am – The Action Has Begun

The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour started cleanly under pitch black skies at Mount Panorama.

Christopher Mies in the Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS led the field before Allan Simonsen began to challenge, completing the overtake on lap three.

With a 50kg penalty on board from yesterdays qualifying, Craig Baird had to defend from Warren Luff early. Battery problems plagued the #10 Simply Sports Cars Lotus Exige S, while traffic became an issue on lap four.

By lap eight, only 8 cars were on the lead lap, while two time winner in the #28 GWS Personnel encountered apparent brake issues. The Black Falcon Mercedes SLS was the first to make a scheduled pit stop, before making another trip into their garage with mechanical issues.

Simonsen shocked the crowd, breaking the lap record on lap 22, setting a flying 2m06.58 before encountering dramas across the top of the mountain. After taking on fuel, the Ill Bello Rosso #17 Ferrari went back out, but was still suffering from an unknown issue.

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