Scott Taylor Makes V8 Return At Hampton Downs

Australian driver Scott Taylor will make his return to the BNT V8s Championship at Hampton Downs next weekend, after missing the majority of the season through injury.

Taylor has been recovering from a broken back following a crash aboard his Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 at Sydney Motorsport Park in August last year.

“The intention was always to race the car as I love the series and the people in it, not to mention the tracks in New Zealand,” says Taylor.

“The 230km/hr, 62G hit that broke my back nine months ago meant I could not get back in a race car until I was better after a long recovery and rehabilitation had taken place but a broken back is a broken back so I need to treat it with care.”

Taylor has received special dispensation from series organisers to turn some laps in his Toyota Camry on the Friday before racing commences on Saturday to make sure he is comfortable in the car and able to compete over the whole race weekend.

“My back actually took shorter to repair than first anticipated and I was able to fix it without an operation to fuse my L4 vertebrae thanks to a great Neurosurgeon and an extensive training commitment. I feel I am ready to get back into a car but again it will only occur if I physically feel right in the car.”

Should he not be up to the task, Taylor has a more than capable replacement lined up in the form of past championship winner, Craig Baird.

“If I don’t drive, Craig Baird will take over the driving commitments which I am sure the crowd and fellow competitors will enjoy given Craig’s following in New Zealand and I will enthusiastically watch from the pits, let’s see how the test goes.”

Taylor will rejoin the successful Richards Team Motorsport squad who are already fielding two Toyota Camry’s for Jason Bargwanna and Andre Heimgartner.

Heimgartner currently leads the championship with Bargwanna only 69 points behind in second place.