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On the Mend: #97 Diagnosis

Round one is run and done.

We had highs, we had lows, but both Lindsay and Chastitii (aka #88 and #97) are back at Red Bull Holden Racing Team HQ getting some much needed TLC before trekking back down south.

As the crew chips away at the mammoth post-Adelaide to-do list, we thought it was a good chance to sit down with part-time race car doctor/full-time race engineer Grant ‘Shippy’ McPherson for a diagnosis on car #97. So, what caused Shane ‘SVG’ van Gisbergen’s DNF at Adelaide on Sunday?

“The front right lower control arm of car 97 bent and then then broke, which ultimately caused Shane to park at turn seven. We had a problem with adjusting the front anti-roll bar which increased the load through the lower arm,” Shippy said.

When asked about what the repair process for #97 entailed back at home base, Shippy explained the logistical issues getting the car onto the RBHRT transporter, which we can only imagine was fun for the boys after a grueling Adelaide week which included the Supercars test day in Tailem Bend.

“We actually had to replace the control arm on Sunday evening just to get the car back into the truck. This is now an engineering job to resolve both the original adjuster issue and increase the safety margin on the lower arm itself.”

Reflecting on the week in Adelaide, Shippy was all praise for how SVG handled his first weekend back in a supercar for season 2020.

“It was great to be back at or near the front of every session, at a track that car 97 historically performs well at.  It was also brilliant to see Shane’s determination in the Sunday race to overcome all the additional challenges thrown at him. The Sunday race result itself was obviously disappointing, but the car speed despite the arm problem is great for maintaining morale.”

So, what’s the focus for the crew now prior to the Melbourne 400?

“We need to diagnose the issues thoroughly and work hard to give Shane and Jamie the cars they deserve. Kerbs aren’t new to our sport, and the cars should be capable of taking anything that our drivers throw at them.”

On-track action from the Melbourne 400 begins on Thursday March 12, with races 3-6 to run over an action-packed four days.