MOTORSPORT: Youlden to replace Reynolds
David Reynolds to stand down from Supercars until vaccinatedThe lack of a jab has cost former Bathurst 1000 winner David Reynolds three crucial starts in the 2021 Repco Supercars Championship.
Reynolds raced in the first of four back-to-back events at Sydney Motorsport Park under a COVID-19 vaccine exemption, and was totally isolated inside the Kelly Grove Racing team, but is now facing a period on the sidelines until he becomes fully vaccinated.
carsales correspondent Luke Youlden will take his place for the three remaining events in Sydney and will also continue as his Bathurst co-driver, provided Reynolds is able to race at Mount Panorama in December.
“It will be my first sprint race start. My first ever,” Youlden told carsales.
The situation with Reynolds’ vaccination status was raised when Supercars racing resumed in Sydney and prompted an investigation by NSW Health, which is responsible for verifying the status of everyone attending events. All attendees at SMP must be double-vaccinated or have a recognised exemption.
Reynolds is believed to have raced under an exemption, but is now having the jab.
“In the last week, NSW Health authorities, working closely with Supercars, Kelly Grove Racing and David Reynolds have carefully considered a vaccination exemption presented by David and have concluded that David is not exempt from receiving the vaccine,” said Supercars in a statement today.
“With NSW Health authorities having reached this conclusion, David has had his first vaccine shot administered and has scheduled his second vaccine shot.
“While waiting for his second vaccine shot, however, David is not able to compete at the three upcoming Sydney Motorsport Park rounds of the 2021 Supercars Championship.”
Reynolds said he was disappointed to miss the next three rounds of the champion but says he’ll be back for Bathurst.
“I’m shattered to be missing the next three Supercars events, but I understand and respect the health guidelines,” he said.
“I want to thank Kelly Grove Racing and all of our fans and sponsors for their support, and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel at Bathurst.”
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