Triple Eight wins PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge in tight final
Triple Eight beats Matt Stone Racing for maiden Challenge win
Brad Jones Racing defeated in semi, ending team's five-year streak
Triple Eight Race Engineering has won its maiden PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge title in a thrilling final with Matt Stone Racing in downtown Bathurst.
Held in the town CBD for the first time at the Repco Bathurst 1000 Street Party, Triple Eight edged MSR in a close final, which was decided by a photo finish.
Under new rules, cars had to be driven to and out of pit bays, with Broc Feeney beating Nick Percat to the line in an epic conclusion to the competition.
It marked Triple Eight's first win in just its second final appearance, following a defeat to Brad Jones Racing in 2022 on the Gold Coast.
BJR's unbeaten streak in PIRTEK Pit Stop Challenge finals ended at five following defeat to Triple Eight in the second semi final, with MSR beating Blanchard Racing Team in the first final.
The semi results ensured there would be a new winner, with DJR Team Penske winning the 2017 and 2018 competitions before BJR went on a five-year winning streak.
Triple Eight not only claimed bragging rights, but won the $20,000 cash prize and the coveted Golden Rattle Gun Trophy.
"The boys work so hard, the whole team works so hard on this," Triple Eight Race Engineer Andrew Edwards said.
"It's a prize for their hard work, we're all proud of them."
Track action at the Repco Bathurst 1000 will commence on Thursday.