A LOCAL motorcycle mechanic had a pivotal role in helping the German HTP Motorsport Mercedes team place second in the recent Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12-Hour.
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After a crash extensively damaged the car on the Friday, the racing team had all but written off their chances of returning to the 12 Hour.
That's when Mick Muldoon, a motorcycle mechanic by trade, stepped in.
The HTP Mercedes entry had suffered severe damage to the right side rear wheel, braking system, suspension, chassis and drivetrain.
The car needed major work in order to continue competing, but because it was late in the day, engineers were unable to get the repair work carried out.
They came to the conclusion that the car would not be race worthy for the qualifying race on the Saturday.
Accepting defeat, one of the team organisers, Tom Puck, went to look at other vehicles and, while looking at the HQ racing cars, began talking with organiser Rex Monohan.
After hearing about the fate of the Mercedes team, Mr Monohan, who was being home-hosted by the Muldoons, gave Mr Muldoon's mobile number to Mr Puck in the hope he could help.
Mr Muldoon said he went to inspect the car and, although horrified by the extensive damage, he still wanted to help.
"They needed a metal support plate fabricated. I welded it up for them and it fitted perfectly," he said.
He said he was pretty nervous doing the work.
"I do a bit of welding, but not for race cars," he laughed.
He had to find and form a piece of steel that would fit precisely into the chassis to reinforce the frame of the car. He used a design drawn by the team (who didn't speak English).
He then used equipment from his business to build the part.
"I was quite nervous about it, but it turned out perfectly," he said.
"I finished what I had to do at 11.30 that night and the rest of the team worked through until 3.30am, and the car was back on the racetrack that morning."
The car qualified 11th on the Saturday and, after leading the race for a period on Sunday, ended up coming second overall.
Mr Puck said it was a phenomenal team effort to get the car back out racing, but said if Mr Muldoon hadn't been able to help it was unlikely the car would have returned to compete.
