THERE was plenty of good news on Sunday for Bathurst driver Terry Nightingale on the back of news that he would be getting a drive at the Bathurst 6 Hour over the Easter long weekend next year at Mount Panorama.
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Nightingale was announced as having a seat in the Mitsubishi Evo 10 being run by the Sydney-based CXC Global Racing Team.
It was a huge boost after a recent break-in at the family home in Kelso saw funds raised in order to secure a drive stolen.
To make the news even better, the vehicle he will help pilot around his home track took out the final round of the Australian Manufacturers Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park on Sunday.
The Australian 4 Hour race was taken out by Dylan Thomas in the Evo 6 alongside well-known endure driver Stuart Kostera.
It was an eye-catching performance by the entire team ahead of next year’s inaugural edition of the 6 Hour, in which Kostera will step aside for the Bathurst driver.
“The way the team won speaks volumes for the way CXC Global Racing go about their business as a team,” Nightingale said.
“Their pit stops were the best, the car didn’t miss a beat and Dylan and Stuey showed their class behind the wheel.
“All season Dylan and his Evo have been the ones to beat in the NSW Production Touring Car rounds and races. They’ve won more than anyone and he also won the NSW Formula V title. I can’t wait for Easter.”
With Thomas at the wheel, the CXC car took the win after logging up 127 laps, two ahead of second-placed duo Mark Eddy and Dean Fiore in their Audi TT RS.
Polesitters Rick Bates and Bob Pearson took the lead initially in their Pro Duct Evo 10 with Thomas in second, and led until Pearson suffered a puncture at the two-hour mark, which saw Thomas and Kostera take the lead.
They were never headed from there, and Bates and Pearson were eventually forced out of the race with 10 laps remaining due to severe overheating.
Orange driver Tim Leahey was also racing, driving alongside Queens- land’s Beric Lynton in a BMW M1, and after qualifying third he retired on lap four with engine problems.