Scott McLaughlin grateful for rival’s support after scary crash
DJR/Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin can remember every moment of his Gold Coast 600 crash – including the support of his championship rival Shane van Gisbergen.
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Scott McLaughlin has thanked his biggest rival for helping him escape the Gold Coast 600 wreck that put his back-to-back Supercars championship bid on hold.
Recalling the horrifying moments that followed the bone-jarring 200km/h crash for the first time, McLaughlin singled out Shane van Gisbergen for praise after the Holden driver abandoned his Commodore to join the rescue bid.
Set to resume his one-on-one championship fight with van Gisbergen when the Sandown 500 begins in Victoria, the DJR/Team Penske driver thanked his Holden rival for what has been described as the ultimate act of sportsmanship.
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“Shane was there, which was really cool to see,’’ McLaughlin said. “He asked if I was OK. It shows that there is camaraderie among the teams.
“So many people came up to see if I was OK. It is really cool to be part of series where everyone cares about each other so much.’’
Set to unleash a brand new chassis called “007’’ on Friday, after destroying the old unit in the Gold Coast 600 qualifying crash, McLaughlin will attempt to wrap up the championship with a round to spare — although he admitted he feared being hit by a rival while stranded in his wreck.
“I remember all of it,’’ McLaughlin said.
“I was conscious the whole time. I felt the impact, remember sliding across the road and worrying that someone was going to hit my roof. When I stopped I saw the fluid out the front and I didn’t really know what was happening.
“I just unbuckled and got out. I went through a few checks and all looked OK. But it was a pretty eventful Sunday and it was something that I never thought would happen. It shows the how safe the cars actually are and that is a testament to everyone at the top.’’
Declaring the crash had left no mental scars, a fully fit McLaughlin warned of a Holden hiding this weekend.
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Yet to win at Sandown, McLaughlin said the Mustang may help deliver him yet another endurance win.
“Our best result is second here,” McLaughlin said.
“Last year we struggled a bit with the aero on the Holden and everything like that. I think it is a bit more even. We should be able to show our pace against the Holdens a lot better.
“I am really excited to have a crack. I have always enjoyed racing here — it is just that my results have not been amazing.
“Hopefully we can change that this weekend and forget about the past.’’
McLaughlin is hoping to both wrap up the championship and also win the Endurance Cup crown at Sandown on Sunday.
“I love to get the chance (to do it this weekend),’’ McLaughlin said.
“It would be nice to be a bit closer after the Gold Coast, but I obviously made a mistake and it cost us points. But overall, we are in the running and a lot can happen at Sandown.’’