The Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander and Nick Percat have both delivered solid performances in this weekend’s first 250km race at the Sydney 500, taking the chequered flag in 14th and 18th place respectively.

After starting this morning’s 20-minute qualifying run in good shape, Tander set the fastest lap of the session before making a small error under brakes on the following lap which saw his #2 VF Commodore push wide into the tyre barrier at Turn 1.

The damage to the front right corner of Tander’s car was significant and the crew immediately went to work to rectify the damage. In what was an epic repair effort, Holden Racing Team mechanics and engineers combined to provide Tander with a rebuilt Commodore for the start of today’s twilight 74-lap battle.

Tander made a great start and put together an exemplary first stint to climb from last on the grid to 7th by lap 22.

However, despite making great progress during the opening stages, Tander experienced brake issues which caused him to run wide and spin on three occasions.

After being called into pit-lane for the final time on lap 41, Tander again set about fighting his way back through the order eventually finishing inside the top half of the field in 14th.

On the other side of the garage, teammate Nick Percat delivered an impressive main series race debut effort to finish 18th.

Earlier this morning, Percat displayed determination and maturity throughout the course of qualifying to set the 13th fastest time.

With Race 35 underway, Percat made a great start and steadily moved into the top 10 where he remained until the mid-part of the race.

While circulating in a creditable 11th place, a late and overambitious challenge from Todd Kelly on Percat forced car #22 wide and into the escape road at Turn 1 – Percat re-joined and pushed on to finish 18th.

Race 36 tomorrow will be the last of the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship – qualifying commences at 12:45pm followed by the second race of the weekend at 3:05pm.

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