Pedders Racing – now in its fifth season - faced plenty of challenges ahead of round four of the championship at Wakefield Park in New South Wales, starting with injectors to be refurbished following the previous round.

The team was left with just one week to get the car prepped for the race after delays in getting the injectors refurbished, with preparations hampered when once the injectors were in, the engine would not turn over.

Three days of Motorsports Training Australia research and consultation with specialists was unable to resolve the problem, and after two spare engines were unwrapped, both were missing vital components.

However, after engine issues were fixed, the crew encountered another problem when a hydraulic tailgate failed, which was fixed on the way to the event.

Race day started well when Andrew Turpie claimed the Class D pole position.

But more problems were to come when in race one the car suffered a blown diff seal, and when limping back to the pits by was hit in the rear end by a BMW.

The MTA students repaired the crumpled rear quarter and diffuser on the car, but with no spare diff, Pedders team principal and driver Grant Phillips was forced to travel eight hours north to Gosford to source a replacement.

The Pedders and MTA crew worked into the early hours of Sunday morning in repairing the car for race two, with the team claiming the Class D victory and equaling its best outright finish of the season in sixth.

“We can’t thank the students and teachers at Motorsports Training Australia enough for all the effort, time and talent they put into our team, not just at this event, but in operating the 86 all season,” Phillips said.

“If anyone would ever have thought to question these students have what it takes to work with the best of the best under pressure and still with enthusiasm, we can tell them they are wrong.”

Wodonga TAFE business manager Stuart Membrey praised the work of the MTA students.

“Our students are here at MTA because they are passionate about motorsport and determined to achieve their best, and the best results for every team they have the opportunity to join throughout industry placement,” Membrey said.

“Pedders Racing put their faith in our teachers and students allowing them to fully operate the vehicle side of the team this year and we know they are thrilled with the ongoing results.”