BATHURST #118 WILDCARD KEEPING IT CLEAN
By Timothy Neal
Date posted: 9 October 2022
On a day where anything can happen, a lot of eyes will be on the privateer wildcard of Matt Chahda Motorsport, one of the only team’s that’s so far managed to keep their noses completely clean throughout the six practices and warm-up.
Jaylyn Robotham and Matt Chahda have been getting the feel for their Main Game debuts whilst doing it the ‘old school’ way with their own family built team, assembled together for a fairy-tale tilt at The Great Race.
AUTO ACTION had a quick word with team principal Amin Chahda in their busy pit lane, for a quick update on how he sees the boys tracking for today.
“Yeah look it’s been great, our follow up has been good, we had a bit of a brake issue but that’s been sorted, we’re very thankful that happened before the big one, so it won’t be an issue today,” Chahda said.
The privateer wildcard of Matt Chahda Motorsports heading up the top of the mountain and out of the cutting
“The boys are doing really well, really really well. Neither of them have even touched the grass or dirt or anything. So hats off to them, they’ve done a great job considering. It’s all been about finding their comfort levels for today so they can have a real crack. So come the race and that lead out lap, we’ll see what happens.
“We’re all really proud to have gotten here, in the manner that we’ve done it, and how the two lads have conducted themselves in some very difficult conditions.”
The mood in the garage has been fantastic with Wally ‘Brains’ Story running a team for the first time, and their family engineers have gelled well with the two WAU engineers, turning that #118 Caltex into what has so far been a consistent lapping vehicle.
Matt Chahda also gave his brief views on how they are building for today, and on who’ll be making that all important first set-up drive come the green flag.
The #118 Caltex garage has been functioning well under the watchful eye of Wally Story
“The car is good, we don’t have too much to work on there, I know the weather conditions are going to be the question mark, but it’s the same for everyone.
“Originally, the team suggested I would take the start, but that’s really down to the engineer, that’s his call, but we’re good with whoever is in the car for the first stint.”
Robotham also added his thoughts, saying that his confidence has been building to a point where he is finally feeling comfortable in the conditions.
“Yesterday went really well, I went out in the wet which was good, it was good to get some practice in. The second session was a little bit damp, so I went out on wets, but then we swapped drivers and Matt did the rest of the session.
“After doing the wet session I am much more confident if it is a wet race. It would have been bad if I didn’t get any practice and it was wet in the race, so it’s good to get that ticked off and have that experience in both conditions.
“The car is really good. It’s set up well for a race car, as we didn’t try too much to tune it for qualifying, so we’ve rolled out with a solid race set-up, so it should be nice for the race tomorrow.”
Race 30 – The Bathurst 1000 – (161 laps) 11:15am
AUTO ACTION, Reporting live from The Mountain
For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.
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