Hour 8 Update: Skwirk.com still leads

Salmon holds off the competition...
Team owner and driver Rod Salmon has shown his racing experience in his second turn behind the wheel, maintaining almost a minute between the Skwirk Evo X and second place.

Salmon took the wheel after a long, arduous stint by Tony Longhurst was brought to a close by a safety car period at the end of the seventh hour.

Salmon was praised by the commentators for allowing Jason Bargwanna in another Evo X to pass through the tricky Reid Park section; realising he was two laps down and sensibly steering clear of any drama.

He will remain in the car through to hour nine.

Meanwhile, team tactics are becoming clear, as Damien White prepares for a final, race-finishing stint.

“Obviously 12 hours is a very long race that can constantly have teams changing tactics, and with Alan Heaphy making the decisions on the driving stint strategy, I had no clue until recently that I’m not back in until the 10th hour - which turns 12 hours into an eternity!” White said.

“To this point it’s been a fascinating contest with the Skwirk Evo not missing a beat,” said White.

“And with the other TMR Evo in second place, full credit must go to Alan Heaphy and team.

“Though we are constantly reminding each other that it’s still along way to go…”

HOUR EIGHT
1     1  R.Salmon/T.Longhurst/D.White                 
TMR Australia                  Mitsubishi Lancer RS  08:03:25.0863 
2    55  G.Crimp/T.Ricciardello/S.Kostera               
West Surfing Products          Mitsubishi Lancer RS  08:05:57.8298 
3    11  B.Morcom/L.Searle/P.Stubber               
Rondo Building Services        BMW 335i              08:01:56.6263 
4    35  J.Bargwana/S.Knight/B.Jones                 
PRO-DUCT Motorsport       Mitsubishi Lancer RS  08:04:34.6272 
5    23  S.Briffa/M.Zukanovic/T.Sipp                  
GSK Group                      Holden VE R8 Clubsport 08:05:45.1081