Fraser grateful for support amid fire heartache

Declan Fraser’s Repco Bathurst 1000 start with Brad Jones Racing came amid personal anguish, with the Queenslander losing his home and possessions to a fire.

Fraser, the 2022 Super2 champion, raced with Andre Heimgartner from 10th to 16th in a dramatic race won by Brodie Kostecki/Todd Hazelwood.

Revealed on the starting grid before the race, Fraser’s residence on the Gold Coast went up in flames on Saturday.

The rising star soldiered on at Mount Panorama, supporting Heimgartner and the team as the Kiwi took part in his maiden Great Race Shootout, before racing on Sunday.

Fraser, who will remain in Sydney this week ahead of an upcoming GT World Challenge Australia round, only has the possessions he brought with him to Bathurst.

"I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone for their support over the last 24hrs,” Fraser posted to social media.

"I’d like to extend my deepest condolences to the Gould family who have lost everything in the fire.

"They gave me a place to live when I made the move back to Gold Coast and I am forever grateful. Everything can be replaced I’m just so thankful everyone is safe.”

According to 9News Gold Coast, the fire was triggered while work was being carried out on a motorcycle at the Gold Coast property.

The Heimgartner/Fraser car’s race was ultimately undone by a refuelling issue, with 16th the final result on a day a top five was possible.

"It’s been a whirlwind 24hrs,” Fraser added.

"The race unfortunately didn’t go our way with a re-fuelling issue in our first stop. We fought hard made some big passes and pushed on to bring the #8 R&J Batteries Camaro home in 16th."

The 2024 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 on October 25-27. Tickets for the event are on sale now.