Reigning champion David Reynolds has suffered cramp in the dying stages of the Bathurst 1000, slumping from the race lead.
Reynolds, partnering once more with fellow 2017 winner Luke Youlden, was forced to relinquish the race lead to veteran Craig Lowndes after 135 laps at Mount Panorama.
He took on hydrating fluids at a pit stop in an attempt to recover and finish the race, but suffered a further blow when he spun his wheels – to receive a pit lane penalty.
Reynolds served the punishment and with his back-to-back dreams dashed, came in once more to hand over the reins to Youlden.
« I’m so devastated, » he said through glassy eyes.
« I’ve never had that happen before in anything I’ve ever driven … I can’t believe it. »
The Erebus Motorsport champion needed to be helped from the car, and sat slumped in the garage with his head in his hands.
Reynolds began the 1000-kilometre classic on pole and had superior pace all day, setting a record race lap shortly before his unfortunate demise.
http://www.espn.com/v8-supercars/story/_/id/24916442/cramp-denies-reynolds-another-bathurst
