A series of mechanical issues have masked the potential of Jono Lester and the Fastway Racing team during the weekend’s Australian GT Phillip Island 101.
The 101-lap endurance race marked Fastway Racing’s return to Australian motorsport, and both 24-year old Lester and team mate Simon Ellingham had high hopes for a Trophy Class podium in their Porsche 997 GT3 Cup.
Starting on the back foot having missed practice due to a gearbox failure, Lester was immediately competitive in a wet qualifying, sitting inside the top five overall until late in the session when the circuit dried out and times began to tumble.
Improving on their 14th place starting position would prove difficult when Lester felt something was awry on the warm up lap of the race, pitting for the McElrea Racing team to assess the situation.
Citing a suspension damper had failed on the #33 machine, there was no time to rectify the issue and Lester took the ‘grin and bear it’ approach, rejoining the field close to a lap down on the leaders.
“We were playing catch up after missing practice and even more so with the early pit stop,” Lester commented.
“The damper issue made the car was pretty sloppy and unpredictable but it was enjoyable going on a charge to make up time and our pace was surprisingly competitive! The damage was already done however and we could never really challenge today.”
Climbing from the rear of the field to 14th position in the opening stint, Lester handed over to Ellingham who completed the middle portion of a frantic race and acquitted himself well in his event outside of New Zealand.
Lester assumed the position for the final stint; battling wheel to wheel with the SKWERK Audi R8 LMS GT3 of Rod Salmon/Nathan Antunes and bringing the Fastway Couriers machine home in fifth position in the Trophy Class.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure to race at Phillip Island and I have no doubt of the potential of the Fastway team heading into the next round of the Championship at Townsville.”
Fastway Racing’s next Australian GT outing will be in support of the V8 Supercars at the Townsville 400 on July 4-6.
Jono Lester is supported for 2014 by key partners including Vortex Racewear, R Redpath Limited, Laser Tools NZ, Fastway Couriers, Robbie Bird Wines, Gourmet Direct, CRC, www.motornews.co.nz, Sony NZ and Fineline Signs
More details about Jono and his season can be found at www.jonolester.com, or by following ‘Jono Lester’ on Facebook, @jonolester on Twitter and @jono_lester on Instagram.
Follow the action from your smartphone by downloading the free Jono Lester app, simply by visiting http://jonolester.appguppy.com from your iPhone or Android device.
