Co-driver's crash stymies Daniel Erickson's Bathurst race chances

by Jacobson Communications
15/02/2010

Macarthur racing driver Daniel Erickson’s promising production touring car debut in today’s Bathurst 12-Hour race ended before he had the chance to put his helmet on when his car’s owner crashed out barely 10 minutes into the marathon.

The 22 year-old from Orangeville had been eyeing a potential podium result after setting the fastest qualifying lap of the Morcom Motorsport BMW 335i’s three drivers in his first competitive appearance at the Mount Panorama circuit.

With rain likely for the 6.30am start, Campbelltown businessman Barry Morcom took the wheel for the first driving stint due to his greater experience in slippery conditions, but on lap five he lost control through the high-speed McPhillamy Park corner.

The turbocharged BMW slid back across the track and slammed into concrete retaining wall on the inside of the circuit.

Morcom was uninjured in the crash, but the car was damaged irreparably.

“Obviously I’m extremely disappointed not to have driven in the race, but there are no guarantees in this sport – you can be out on the first lap or the last lap in any race, whether it’s a sprint or an enduro,” Erickson said.

“The most important thing is that Barry’s okay. Cars can be replaced but people can’t.

”Anyway I’m pleased with my performance in qualifying, because I hadn’t expected to go faster than my co-drivers, who both have a lot of experience in this type of racing, especially at Bathurst.”

Now that Erickson’s dalliance with ‘tin tops’ is over for the time being, he is looking forward to returning to international openwheeler racing at the first round of this year’s US Formula Star Mazda Championship at Sebring on March 19.

Daniel Erickson's website: www.danielerickson.com.au

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