PERFORMANCE & RACING
DAYCO DAVE FINISHES THIRD IN EPIC BATHURST SIX HOUR Dave Russell partnered with Grant Sherrin for the gruelling race Dayco Australia ambassador and highly experienced endurance race driver David Russell finished third after an epic 2021 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst Six Hour Production Car race. Paired with 2019 Bathurst Six Hour champion driver Grant Sherrin, the BMW M4 duo drove a fast-paced race all day, remaining within reach of the race leaders for the majority of the gruelling race. Perfect pit stops combined with an excellently planned race strategy saw Dave in a position to contest for the win when he took over the final driving stint with just over one hour remaining in the Easter Sunday Bathurst race. The Dayco sponsored driver was tasked with having to make up an 11 second deficit on race leaders and BMW M4 rivals Shane Van Gisbergen (driving with Robert Rubis and Shane Smollen) and Tim Leahey (driving with Beric Lynton). Dave was promoted into third position with 54 minutes remaining when rival Tim Slade pitted with tyre issues, setting the fastest lap times of the final stint in pursuit of Tim Leahey. Shane van Gisbergen was leading the final stages with a five second penalty issued by the stewards of the meeting for a Safety Car infringement was
hanging over his charge for the victory. Tim Leahey was three seconds behind and Dave in third, a further three seconds in pursuit with 25 minutes remaining in the epic Production Car race. With 12 minutes to run, a mistake from Tim Leahey saw Dave get within striking distance of his BMW powered rival, with the two embarking on a close battle across Mount Panorama for second place, with Shane van Gisbergen extending his lead to 11 seconds. By the chequered flag and after 105 laps of racing, Dave finished in third place behind Tim Leahey and Shane van Gisbergen; the three BMW teams separated by 17 seconds after six hours of racing. This result is Dave’s second Bathurst Six Hour race podium adding to his outstanding record with
class wins and victories in every format of Bathurst Production Car endurance racing. “It is great to be on the podium with Grant, he did a fantastic job in his second stint to get our strategy back on track. The Sherrin Racing team did a phenomenal job with our pitsops all day. It’s satisfying to bring our car home in third, ultimately we didn’t have the power on the straights, but we gave it all we had,” Dave said. After qualifying second and gaining another Bathurst outright podium, Dave looks forward to returning to Bathurst in October, co-driving with Brodie Kostecki and the Erebus Motorsport Supercar team in the Repco Bathurst 1000. For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com
constructed West Hall, the SEMA Show will include exhibits in all four halls, seminars in dozens of meeting rooms, networking events in nearby ballrooms and special displays and interactive attractions in the outdoor areas. Having been separated for more than a year, manufacturers are making plans to impress the industry with enhanced booths and unique displays. “We are hearing an overwhelming response from exhibitors,” Tom said. “They have nearly two years’ worth of innovation to share, and they will be showing it off at the SEMA Show. Based on what we are hearing, exhibitors are pulling out all the stops.”
Since 1967, organisers say manufacturers of automotive aftermarket parts have relied on the SEMA Show to debut their new products, showcase new trends and conduct business. Made up mostly of small- to mid-size manufacturers with a deep passion for turning everyday drivers into one-of-a-kind works of art, exhibitors take center stage as they unveil groundbreaking and ingenious products that enhance the performance, styling and functionality of cars, trucks and SUVs. To apply for booth space or register to attend the show, go to www.semashow.com
RECONNECT AT 2021 SEMA
Exhibitors are pulling out all the stops to pave the path for a monumental gathering Following Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s recent commitment to reopen the state at 100 percent capacity by June 1, SEMA Show organisers say exhibitors are demonstrating their commitment and excitement for the 2021 SEMA Show by securing booth space at the event taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada. “The industry has spent the past year separated, and businesses are anxious and eager to reconnect in person,” SEMA Vice President of Events, Tom Gattuso, said. “We’re seeing more and more manufacturers sign up to exhibit at the SEMA Show every day.” More than 1,200 companies are already confirmed to exhibit at the event on November 2-5, at which time the SEMA Show will mark the first industrywide in-person gathering in almost two years. Manufacturers are able to secure space up until the event in November. Utilising the Las Vegas Convention Center’s newly 102
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2021
