New learnings for Scott Taylor at The Bend

A fresh circuit layout and inclement conditions ensured an interesting round of the Equity One Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship at The Bend.

It was a category first at The Bend as the 3.4km West Circuit layout was used, but Scott Taylor Motorsport supported by the experienced team of Ashley Seward Motorsport completed its due preparation by testing at the venue prior to the event.

Driver Scott Taylor made significant ground during the weekend, but the final race was cancelled due to severe wet conditions.

Qualifying provided a solid result for Taylor by dropping into the 2m 19s bracket building confidence of a strong result heading into Race 1.

This came to fruition as Taylor finished the opening 45-minute event in sixth after staying out of trouble, which caught out some front-running Pro-Am contenders.

Spurred on by this result, Taylor was keen to continue his upward trajectory in Race 2, but a heavy storm led to the start being aborted and the event being cancelled.

Although a disappointing end to the weekend, the West Circuit provided a welcome change to the norm.

Next up is the biggest event of the season: the Repco Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama on October 8-11.

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Scott Taylor
#222 Scott Taylor Motorsport, Porsche 911 Cup Car

“We were planned to have two 45-minute races this weekend, but unfortunately the second race was cancelled due to the severe weather,” Taylor explained.

“In the first race I managed to go a bit quicker and focus on some of the advice the team has been trying to drill into me. By the end of Race 1, I went ok and a PB compared to the test day, which I was pretty happy with as my rules are get better, just be safe.

“I don’t mind the rain as it’s a good equaliser and it would have been fun to have a go, but the conditions were treacherous. It was only a couple of years ago a race was started in those conditions and we didn’t get through a lap, resulting in an eye-watering damage bill. It was smart thinking to stop the race.

“We’ll get ready for Bathurst and do another test day before then as it’s a high-speed, high-commitment circuit, but it’s one of the coolest tracks around.”