Reid Harker has rounded out his cameo in the Thailand Super Series by inheriting another podium, making it two-from-two for the weekend.
Whilst Harker felt the team were lucky to claim third yesterday following a tyre blowout for a leading competitor, then today the situation must feel almost unimaginable.
With time practically up and Harker’s co-driver, Piti Bhirombhakdi, sitting fifth it appeared a midfield finish was likely. What transpired next, however, was as if the racing gods were looking down on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Thailand #12.
Two cars ahead ran into difficulty on the final lap, first the bonnet crumpling on the #19 which was running third and, almost simultaneously, the #28 in fourth spinning, Bhirombhakdi navigating his way through to take the podium.
Whilst yesterday’s and today’s third-place may feel fortuitous for the team, they’ve ensured they were in a position to pounce should anything happen to those ahead, which it did.
It was the Kiwi who laid the gauntlet early, starting well and sitting as high as third before being swallowed by a mid-field fight coming through behind.
His pace was up there with the leaders who, unlike yesterday, were unable to put a gap on the field. He did receive an early black and white flag for exceeding track limits but proceeded ahead with caution.
Harker handed over to Bhirombhakdi with 25 minutes remaining, the Thai driver returning to the track in seventh and proceeding to work his way forward.
As was the case yesterday, several cars were awarded drive-through, stop-go penalties for failing to meet the minimum stop time. This shook up the order somewhat, the #12 now running fifth.
The clock was about to strike zero when the drama hit, first the #19 suffering a failure which at first looked like it could have been caused by contact with a car ahead.
Then, behind, the #28 spun to allow the Lexus through for third in the most unexpectant of circumstances.
The race concludes the weekend’s activities at Chang International Circuit as well as the Thailand Super Series season. Harker is now rewarded for a solid showing with a summer break.
Header Image: Thailand Super Series
