Suspected mechanical issue behind shock Corvette Bathurst crash

AN untimely mechanical issue has brought an abrupt end to Corvette’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour win bid.

The Pro class #2 Johor Motorsports Racing Z06 GT3.R of Alexander Sims, Nicky Catsburg and Earl Bamber was in the fight heading into the final hours.

With two hours remaining, Bamber took over from Catsburg, who had been embroiled in a heated battle with Marvin Kirchhofer and Raffaele Marciello.

Suddenly, the #2 Corvette was seen in the barriers at The Dipper, with the stricken Bamber car triggering another Safety Car period.

Race engineer John McGregor told Bathurst12Hour.com that the #2 suffered a suspected toe link issue.

The issue appeared to strike Bamber as he approached Brock's Skyline, forcing the Kiwi to shortcut The Esses before he lost the rear into The Dipper.

Speaking on the broadcast after returning to the paddock, Bamber said: “Just turned off Skyline and then got a big snap from the rear and took the escape road.

“Then tried to turn through the next corner and just had nothing on the rear. So just slowly spun and stopped and yeah, it looks like there's an issue on the rear.

"Real shame, the JMR guys did an amazing job all day.”

It was yet another blow to the heralded entrants into the race, after the #64 HRT Ford Mustang GT3 was wiped out in the opening minutes when Chris Mies struck a kangaroo.

The race restarted with an hour and 15 minutes remaining, leaving the #75 and #888 Mercedes-AMGs to fight for victory.