Supercars champion ruled out of Bathurst 1000

3 years ago 367

Three-time Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin has been ruled retired of this year's Bathurst 1000, with question restrictions preventing him from returning from the United States.

McLaughlin, who took up a full-time thrust successful the IndyCar bid this year, had been named arsenic 1 of the drivers for his erstwhile team, Dick Johnson Racing.

But the squad confirmed this greeting helium won't beryllium astatine Mount Panorama successful December, alternatively nominating Alex and Will Davison to stock the No.17 Mustang, with Tony D'Alberto and Anton De Pasquale successful the No.11 car.

LIVE UPDATES: Fresh twist successful Brisbane Lions-Neale saga arsenic AFL trades footwear off

"It is disappointing to not beryllium capable to question location and instrumentality portion successful the biggest contention connected the Australian motorsport calendar – it's thing I was looking guardant to, but with the prolonged quarantine requirements and Australian COVID-19 restrictions, the timing conscionable hasn't worked out," McLaughlin said.

"I was besides looking guardant to seeing the team, the Supercars supporters, and my household and friends – who I haven't seen successful implicit 18 months - and putting connected a large amusement astatine Mount Panorama. Hopefully we tin spot what 2022 brings.

"I cognize Alex volition bash a large occupation successful my place. I'll surely beryllium watching from the US and privation the squad the champion of luck for the play finale."

DJR brag Ryan Story said McLaughlin was ever facing an uphill conflict to instrumentality for this year's race.

"We knew from the opening of the play that Scott's availability to contention with america this twelvemonth would remainder connected a fig of factors, including the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic on with the INDYCAR schedule. Unfortunately, the timing conscionable hasn't aligned however we'd hoped," helium said.

"Alex is simply a prime operator who has a past with this team, and of people pairing him with his member makes them a terrific operation for this year's Great Race. He has been spending a batch of clip with america present astatine the workshop, getting to cognize the cars and the squad and learning however we operate.

"Tony has been with the squad for a fig of years present and has proven himself a fast, reliable and coagulated codriver. He brings immense acquisition and volition signifier a large operation with Anton."

For a regular dose of the champion of the breaking quality and exclusive contented from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!