SHE was on track to notch up the first top-10 finish of her Supercars career and do it in the biggest race of the year, but in the end Simona De Silvestro joined the ranks of disappointed Bathurst 1000 drivers.
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The former open-wheeler competitor was contesting the Great Race for the first time as a full-time member of the series after wildcard appearances in 2015-16.
She and her co-driver David Russell had kept their Nissan Altima out of trouble in the slick, wet conditions.
With nine laps to go they were in ninth, but De Silvestro put wheels on the slippery ripple strip at the entrance of Pit Straight. She lost control and speared into the left wall.
"It was good to show what we're capable of. But I messed up and that's pretty hard to get over. The guys worked hard all weekend and put me in that position,” she said.
“So it's frustrating to end the weekend with a silly mistake. The team made some pretty good calls as well as some pretty hairy calls when it was wet.
“There haven't been many races in the wet this year, but around this place it becomes even more of a handful. Things change so quickly out there and driving on slicks was a whole new challenge. I learned a lot and really enjoyed driving with David."