Extended break for Garwood Capri
After a solid debut in Tasmania, unfortunately fans will have to wait a little longer to see the Adam Garwood Ford Capri return to Touring Car Masters.
Having raced with the #1 for the first time at the recent Symmons Plains round, Garwood had hoped to return at the following round at Darwin’s Hidden Valley on June 19-22.
However, the reigning champion will be forced to wait until September’s trip to The Bend after it emerged he was lucky to even complete the weekend in the revamped Capri his father Greg has raced over the years.
“Overall it was a good learning weekend. We were down a bit of power and found some engine issues so we were lucky to make it out of the weekend,” Garwood told Auto Action.
“We had a cracked piston and damaged piston ring.
“It happened on the Saturday night when we were doing some engine maintenance so we just nursed through Sunday.
“We had planned on running in Darwin but won’t get pistons for it so that has turned into a bit of a nightmare, but could have been worse.
“We will now aim for the following round at The Bend.”
Despite the drama, Garwood showed solid pace in the nimble Capri and even won on debut in fairytale fashion in the Trophy Race.
However, he had to settle for fourth in the first championship sprint having not quite had the same legs as Steven Johnson and Joel Heinrich.
After the red flagged race two, not one, but two flat tyres proved costly in the finale.
But having dived into Symmons Plains with minimal track time, Garwood knows he will be better for the runs and will fight next time.
“We changed a lot in the Capri to make it align with the rules and due to parts not arriving in time we did not get to test the car so we went in pretty blind which made it hard,” Garwood said.
“Each session we got better but the second race red flag did not help.
“By the end of the weekend we were really good in the parts of the track where there were not any straights.
“It is good under brakes and turns and handles well. If we can get some straight line speed we should be a bit faster.
“We have a good direction where we need to head to mix it up with Steven, Joel and Ryan.
“It would have been great if the Trophy Race was a points paying one but it was still amazing to race at home with the #1.
“A special feeling, but now keen to get after it more often.”
Image: DMAC Photography
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