New date set for Pit Stop Challenge finale

Brad Jones Racing hope a change of scenery can deliver a breakthrough PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge triumph.

The competition finals are held annually on the Friday night of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 but wet weather last week forced the 2019 deciders to be postponed.

The semi-finals and grand final will now take place this Thursday afternoon to kick-off the Vodafone Gold Coast 600, forming part of the Supercars Trackside broadcast.

BJR are the only team to have made the sudden death play-offs in all three editions of the challenge since it launched in 2017.

Two years ago, their #14 Freightliner Racing Commodore was eliminated in the semis, with Shell V-Power Racing going on to clinch the title.

The second season saw the BJR and Shell crews battle it out in a tight final; the latter winning but agreeing to split the cheque with Jones.

Third time around, the Albury squad has a double chance at the $20,000 winner’s cheque and Golden Rattle Gun trophy, with Nick Percat’s #8 and Tim Slade’s #14 both in the semis.

“Everyone at BJR takes this competition very seriously and after last year’s results, coming away with a tie left us with unfinished business,” Jones said.

“We are determined to win the PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge Golden Rattle Gun this year.

“We’re a close team and every member works together to deliver their best performance.

“In sudden death finals like this it can become a lottery, but we are as well prepared as we can be.”

The #14 will go head-to-head with the Red Bull Holden Racing Team’s #888 in the first semi at 3:45pm Thursday local time, before Percat’s top-seeded car faces the #55 Supercheap Auto Racing Mustang at 4:20pm.

The winners will proceed to a 4:55pm grand final.

Practice for the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 begins on Friday, ahead of two 300km races across the weekend.