Andrews stoked with Pole Battle appearance

Returning to the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour was a “bucket list” item for Aussie IMSA star Scott Andrews and he has made the most of it by sneaking into the Pole Battle.

Andrews exceeded expectations by sneaking the #44 Valmont Racing/Tigani Motorsport Audi R8 LMS EVO II into the top 10 Pole Battle having been 12th in Practice 6.

With the Audi sitting 10th in combined qualifying times with a 2:02.2570 in the closing stages, it was a nervous wait until the chequered flag.

Reigning winner Matt Campbell was 11th and on a late hot lap where many expected the Porsche star to deny Andrews, but a costly mistake at The Chase proved to be the difference.

Being used to racing Mercedes on Michelins in America, successful international Aussie Andrews was delighted to secure a surprise ticket to the Pole Battle.

“I am stoked to hang in there,” Andrews told Auto Action.

“It was a boost for both the team and probably myself because the first time I sat in an Audi was on Friday and I have not been here for 10 years, so a lot of learning.

“The best GT3 drivers are coming here every year and always getting stronger. 

“Then guys like Waters who is an absolute beast around here and Chaz is a weapon, even Lee Holdsworth is special.

“It was just nice to go out and feel I was closish.

“My goal was to make the top 10 and after pre qualifying I thought ‘woah, it is going to be really hard’ but managed to get a really good lap in.

“Matt was on the money to knock me out and unfortunately for him just made a tiny error and that was the difference.”

Looking ahead to the 15-minute Pole Battle, Andrews simply wants to keep the car clean, which he has been impressed with all weekend.

“For the Shootout I just want to put in a good lap,” he said.

“I definitely left a little bit on the table and a small mistake at the last corner cost me a tenth. The track condition will change.

“We are not really racing the Pro cars and as much as it would be nice, I am not going to take an unnecessary risks to go for pole.

“We have not touched the car set-up wise since we rolled out as we have figured out how to drive it. Hats off to the Tigani boys.”

Andrews said the adjustment from racing the Daytona 24 last weekend to the 12 Hour is a big one, but being a proud Aussie from Torquay, he is simply happy to be taking on Mount Panorama for the first time since 2016.

“Every lap I am just understanding a little bit more what the Audi can do,” he said.

“Also getting more runs on new tyres and there is just a lot in that bringing the peak of the tyre in and how to do that because I mainly drive Michelin and the Pirelli is new to me.

“Each time I am learning what you can get away with here on a new tyre.

“(But) I am just privileged to be here and do my home race.

“My dad is here and I never really get to see him and its nice to have friends.

“We just need to keep it on the track for 12 hours and see where it takes us.”

The Pole Battle takes place at 16.05 AEDT.

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