Percat ‘wanted to quit’ amid WAU struggle

Nick Percat has revealed he wanted to giveaway racing during his tough times at WAU, but that is now in the rear vision mirror after he secured a sensational win in the Melbourne SuperSprint finale.

In another race that was sacrificed by Ford as Matt Payne and Chaz Mostert clashed when fighting for the lead, Percat was in the right place at the right time to take the lead.

However, the race was far from over as the Matt Stone Racing underdog had to fend off both Triple Eight Camaros that have dominated 2024.

At the end of it all Percat held off Larry Perkins Trophy winner Will Brown by 0.3s whilst Broc Feeney completed the podium.

The success ends a four-year drought for Percat, who last won at SMP 2020 for Brad Jones Racing.

In between times the South Australian returned to WAU but battled, finishing 15th and 20th in the standings in 2022 and 2023 after four straight years in the top 10.

As he revelled in the success in just his second round for MSR, Percat revealed he wanted to stop Supercars across the two painful years at WAU.

“Unbelievable and I am speechless,” Percat said.

“I cannot thank Matt, Jack and Simon and the whole team enough.

“My future wife Bailey and the family who backed me so hard because honestly I wanted to quit. I hated every second of the last 18 months.

“But the moment I walked into MSR I knew it was where I needed to be

“Now in round 2 we have won a race already. This is so surreal.”

The drama began before the race even started as it did not feature Anton De Pasquale.

“Drove out and felt like a loose wheel or you copped a big hit in the rear. Something was loose and it just ripped everything apart,” De Pasquale said after jumping out of the car prior to lining up on the grid.

Payne great getaway to surge into the lead as Mostert defended second from Percat, who jumped Waters.

Both Triple Eight Camaros went side by side into turn 3 and Feeney won the battle to get fourth.

Le Brocq was the victim of the opening lap that ran clean until the final corner when wheel to wheel contact between the Erebus driver and Cam Hill sent the #9 to the lane with steering damage.

The Red Bull Camaros were also ganging up on the Monster Mustang, with Feeney 

Up front Payne was in control pulling almost a second on Mostert, but once again the Fords would tangle fighting for the lead at lap 3.

This time the clash occurred at the fast turn 9-10 complex where Mostert appeared to have locked up and tagged the rear of Payne.

It sent both Mustangs to take a tour of the infield and presented another gift for Chevrolet with the seas parting for Percat and Feeney to snatch the lead. Mostert received a 5s penalty for the clash.

To add insult to injury for Payne, he was spun at turn 1 by Fullwood, sending the #19 from leading earlier all the way to 21st.

In further drama at turns 9-10, Hazelwood was rotated by Courtney forcing cars to fly through the grass again and ducks take cover.

Percat held a 1s margin over Feeney but the Triple Eight stars were on the charge as Brown picked off Waters for third.

By lap 8 Feeney launched an attack on Percat at turn 11 but the MSR underdog immediately responded with a smart criss cross at the following right hander.

As their battle continued on the exit of the penultimate corner Brown joined the fun due to his teammate being on the back foot after muscled out by Percat.

Brown sensed his chance and manage to outfox Feeney in the run from pit straight to turn 5 to steal second.

The Triple Eight teammates tussle for both second and the Larry Perkins Trophy allowed Percat to enjoy an important 1s lead.

But the battle ensured the faster of the two teammates could take aim at Percat and by lap 12 the MSR car once again had a Red Bull Camaro on its tail.

Percat’s smart defensive work exiting the flowing corners proved critical as he started the final lap with a four tenth advantage.

Despite Brown’s best efforts, Percat held on to secure one of the best Supercars wins of recent times.

Meanwhile, there was heartbreak for his MSR teammate as Cam Hill was punted by Ryan Wood at turn 6.

The #10 Camaro even ran out of fuel forcing Percat to run the entire F1 pit lane to reach victory lane, but he didn’t mind.

The win ended four tough years where Percat was pushed to the edge of giving up but he has come out the other side as a winner.

Supercars returns to New Zealand at a new home in Taupo on April 19-21.

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

Supercars Race 6 Melbourne SuperSprint results

Supercars Australian Grand Prix schedule

Thursday, March 21

Practice 1: 1: M. Jones 2: M. Payne 3: C. Waters

Practice 2: 1 B. Feeney 2: C. Waters 3: A. De Pasquale

Qualifying R3 Qualifying R4 Poles B. Feeney, C. Waters

Race 3: 1: B. Feeney 2: W. Brown 3: M. Payne

Friday, March 22

Race 4 (20 laps): 1: W. Brown 2: M. Winterbottom 3: M. Payne

Saturday, March 23

Qualifying R5: 1: M. Payne 2: C. Waters 3: C. Mostert

Qualifying R6: 1: C. Mostert 2: M. Payne 3: C. Waters

Race 5 (14 laps): 1: B. Feeney 2: W. Brown 3: C. Mostert

Sunday, March 24

Race 6 (14 laps): 10.25-10.55

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