The Phillip Island L&H 500 has once again proved a perfect lead up to Bathurst. For Tim Blanchard and David Reynolds it has been a great first up result in their Endurance campaign. Starting in 6^th place Tim was one of the bulk of the co drivers who would face the starter. But a restart was required as Nick Percat in the #2 HRT Commodore stalled. Tim then had to go through the whole process again but started  very well and held sixth in the first few laps. A huge battle developed between Blanchard and Steve Richards, Dean Canto and Owen Kelly one of the Kelly Racing entries.  Tim was holding position then made a good move on Canto to break the pack and move back into 6^th place.

After 10 laps, Blanchard’s lap times were right on the lead pace as he pulled a gap in clean air in front of the #55 Bottle O Falcon of Canto. The Stratco crew were busy working out the strategy for the car as Tim continued in 6^th place for fuel and minimum driver laps. The equation was interesting as each driver had to complete a minimum of 38 laps where a maximum fuel run was expected to be 36 laps. The team called Tim in on Lap 17 for a change of tyres and re fuel to ensure the race strategy would pan out before David Reynolds took over.

Once all the first round of stops had been completed, Blanchard was in a fine 5^th place.  Cam McConville in the Courtney HRT Commodore slipped past but Blanchard consolidated his 6^th place holding a good 2 second gap to the #9 Stone Bros Falcon. The race was running under green flag conditions with the second round of pit stops coming on Lap 47. Tim was out of the car with Reynolds in for a double stint to the finish.

“I was glad to get a good start and stay out of trouble. I then found I could run with the lead group and turn some good lap times.” Tim said after he handed over to Reynolds. “We had a good strategy to see where I was after Lap 10, so after the first stop I pushed like crazy on the second set of tyres and got a good clean gap which I could hold. The car was really nice to drive and I was pleased to be able to hand the car over to Dave from 5^th position.” Tim added     

Lap 65 the Phillip Island wildlife interrupted the race when two sea birds decided to wander across the track at Honda corner. With nearly all the field pitting the crew called Reynolds in to ensure he retained track position with the lead bunch. The race settled down into a tough battle at the front between Lowndes, Van Gisbergen and Whincup with the Reynolds / Blanchard combination holding station in 6^th place.

A frantic finish saw Tander get a struggling Van Gisbergen right on the line and another lap David Reynolds would have been on his tail. Regardless the Stratco combination of Blanchard and Reynolds scored a fine 6^th place overall at the L&H 500.  

“A great result, I am really wrapped to get a top 10 finish in such big event” Tim said as Reynolds crossed the line.

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