28 May 6-HOUR WINNING EXPERIENCE READY TO TACKLE THE BEND
Simon Hodges stood on the top step of the outright Bathurst 6 Hour podium in 2023 and 2024 and will be joined in steering his X-class #21 Secure Wealth Advisors BMW M4 at this weekend’s Meguiar’s Australian Production Cars event at The Bend Motorsport Park by former class D winner, Mark Caine.
Not only do these two drivers have plenty of winning experience to their name – so too does their car, with the #21 having been the same vehicle that Hodges drove to victory at the two most recent six hours alongside Jayden Ojeda (2023/2024) and George Miedecke (2024).
Built by Aaron Grech and developed by Grech, Ojeda and Hodges over a four-year period, it also holds production car lap records at Sandown, Bathurst and Sydney Motorsport Park (Gardner Circuit and Druitt Circuit).
Clearly, the #21 entry will be one to watch as the Meguiar’s APC takes on four one-hour races at The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend (May 31-June 2) for the second round of its 2024 season.
Pic: Speed Shots Photography
“I have always loved motorsport ever since I was a kid, and I started competing in Formula Ford in 2014 in my mid-twenties. I was the New South Wales Formula Ford runner up in 2015 and 2016, and of course winning the Bathurst 6 Hour twice has been a highlight,” explained Financial Advisor Hodges (46).
“I started racing quite late, at the age of 40. Since then, I have gone on to score class podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour in 2016 (D Class Winner), 2017 (D runner-up) and 2020 (B2 podium). I was also the NSW Production Touring cars A2 Champion and Mocomm Endurance Cup Champion in 2107,” Chief Marketing Officer Caine (50) said.
The Sydneysiders also have spent plenty of time in the Meguiar’s APC.
“While I haven’t raced in APC for a while, I have raced at several rounds with the category at Sandown, Bathurst, Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park, and I can’t wait to get to The Bend. I believe the APC is the most relevant and interesting category today, where you can go out and buy the car you saw race on the weekend – just like in the Bathurst 1000s that I grew up watching,” Caine said.
“The Meguiar’s APC really appeals to me with the variety of cars, and the fact they are production based, which is rare these days! I am aiming to race at every APC event this year, budget and time permitting, and Mark is going to be joining me at Phillip Island, which we are already looking forward to,” Hodges said.
While both Hodges and Caine have plenty of experience behind them in APC and otherwise, The Bend will present a new challenge.
“This is our first weekend at The Bend, so we will be concentrating first on improving throughout the weekend,” Hodges said.
“It is clearly an amazing facility, and we can’t wait to race there! I think the car will suit it quite well also – the long straight and a fast few corners will suit the M4,” concluded Hodges, while thanking Massel Stock as well as car builder Aaron Grech and mechanic Tim Portelli – who will both be on-site at The Bend – for their support.
“I am really looking forward to having fun and enjoying a race circuit I haven’t tried before,” added Caine, while adding his thanks to Simon Hodges.
Pic: Speed Shots Photography
Hodges, Caine and the rest of the Meguiar’s APC field will take to The Bend Motorsport Park across May 31 to June 2 for what four one-hour races at what will be the second round of the category’s 2024 season, which was recently announced as expanded to six rounds.
Entries for rounds three through six are open now – for entry forms, costs and more, please visit https://ausprodcars.com.au/entry-form/ or email admin@ausprodcars.com.au
2024 AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION CARS CHAMPIONSHIP DATES:
- Round 1 – Sandown Raceway – February 9-11, 2024 – Four 30-minute races
- Round 2 – The Bend – May 31-June 2 – Four 1 hour races
- Round 3 – Queensland Raceway – July 12-14 – Two 2 hour races
- Round 4 – Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – August 23-25 – four 1 hour races
- Round 5 – Sydney Motorsport Park – 18-20 October – Four 1 hour races
- Round 6 – Bathurst International – 8-10 November – Four 30-minute races