Reynolds elated to give Team 18 Bathurst cheer

Unfortunately, Mount Panorama had mainly been the scene of heartbreak for Team 18, but not anymore, as David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth delivered an emotional podium.

Since forming his own team back in 2013, Charlie Schwerkolt has only seen two top 10s at the Great Race.

It has been the scene of some of the team’s toughest moments, such as 2023, when both cars almost ran out of fuel, and the drama led to personnel restructuring.

But two years later, Team 18 not only survived one of the craziest Great Races ever seen, but thrived.

Veterans Reynolds and Holdsworth stayed calm amid all the drama to charge home and steal an unexpected second place, which the team celebrated like a win.

The #20 Camaro came alive in the wet conditions as Reynolds charged home from eighth to second in the final stint.

After even touching leader Matt Payne, Reynolds ended up falling nine-tenths short of victory.

However, the 2017 Bathurst winner was still elated and understandably so.

Lee Holdsworth and David Reynolds soak up the podium. Image: Mark Horsburgh

Having spent the majority of the day outside of the top 10 and even with the odd off-track excursion, the car came alive in the rain.

“The day went pretty well, but I am exhausted and exhilarated,” Reynolds said.

“I had a mega day. To share the car with a mate that lives around the corner, so its been the best week ever.

“The car was okay in the dry, but I knew all day that if we were in the wet we would 100 per cent be in with a chance.

“I love those drying conditions where there is always something going on. That is me down to a tee.

“I thrive in those conditions, and the car was unbelievable in the wet-dry conditions.

“It was such a cool race because any one of the top four could have won.

“I had pace in different places and times, and it was so cool to be a part of, and I assume it would have been awesome to watch.”

Knowing the previous Bathurst pain endured by Schwerkolt’s crew, Reynolds was delighted to deliver for them.

“I am so proud of everyone at Team 18,” the recently resigned driver for 2026 said. 

“We have just gone from strength to strength since the start of the year.

“It has been unbelievable to watch everyone grow and learn within themselves to become better mechanics, engineers and drivers.

“Cannot be more prouder.

“This is the best way to repay the faith from Charlie and hopefully I can do it more often.”

However, he did feel that if conditions stayed his way, he could have won.

“My thing was on fire and it started to rain with four laps to go. If it did not rain we would have been on like Donkey Kong,” he said.

Alongside Reynolds was former teammate and full-time Team 18 driver Holdsworth.

David Reynolds flew home in the rain. Image: Mark Horsburgh

The 42-year-old used his knowledge to master the conditions and stay on track when many struggled and even led when the rain initially hit.

However, Holdsworth felt most stressed in the garage watching Reynolds climb closer and closer to the lead.

“The conditions were ridiculously bad today,” he said.

“You had to survive and be quick and fortunately, we were one of the few not to make many mistakes and get a decent result.

“Watching the last part of the race from the pits was not fun at all.

“I felt sick so many times wishing it was over and thought I am too old for this!

“I knew Dave is such a great steerer and had full faith in him.

“We were probably a bit low on pressures in those conditions, but knew we would come good.

“We were within a coo wee of the guys at the front and Dave mowed them down and it was just incredible.

“You get this feeling that when you come to Bathurst it will be a good week, but you don’t want to tell anyone.

“I had that all day and we had a reasonable car, but just had to keep our heads cool.”