Stolen Penske Bathurst helmet recovered
Tony D'Alberto's stolen Bathurst 1000 helmet has been recovered.
The DJR Team Penske enduro ace had his car broken into back in September 2018, thieves taking off with a kit bag that contained the helmet he wore to third place at the 2017 Bathurst 1000.
A social media plea for it to be returned initially proved unsuccessful, D'Alberto eventually resigning himself to never seeing the precious memento ever again.
That was until he received an Instagram message last week, which led to an unexpected recovery.
“This week, a guy sent me a private message on Instagram and said “hey, I think I have something that belongs to you, I think I have your helmet,” he told the Parked Up podcast.
“I didn’t believe it, I don’t know this guy, and he sent me some photos and I went and picked it up.
“The helmet is in pristine condition, no scratches.
"At the time, I was devastated. It meant so much to me, so I’m absolutely rapt. I never thought I’d see it again.”
The TCR Australia regular is set to team up with Fabian Coulthard for a fourth straight year at the long-distance races this season.
Previous article
Supercars evaluating formats through Eseries
Next article
Ambrose to make virtual Supercars return
About this article
| Series | Supercars |
| Drivers | Tony D'Alberto |
| Teams | Dick Johnson Racing |
| Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
Supershots Sandown
Supershots Bathurst
Sam Brabham drives BT-19 at Mount Panorama
Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
Roger Penske's whirlwind Australian Supercars sojourn is over. After six seasons, three drivers' titles, three teams' championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown, The Captain has sold his controlling stake in Dick Johnson Racing back to the squad and walked away from the category.
Can Whincup be Triple Eight's ruthless leader?
Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But does he have what it takes to be the new Roland Dane?
How a lifetime Supercars deal broke down in one year
David Reynolds inked what was effectively a lifetime deal with Erebus in 2019 – only to walk out a year later. What went wrong?
Why Supercars now needs a new "human salt harvester"
Scott McLaughlin has been a controversial figure in Supercars over the past few years but, as he heads off to a fresh challenge in IndyCar, the Australian tin-top series needs to find someone else to fill his drama-filled boots as the category enters a new era...
Why 2020 isn't McLaughlin's greatest title
Scott McLaughlin was quick to describe his third Supercars title as his best yet. But even though it didn't match the dramatic backstory of his 2018 triumph, there's a good reason for him wanting to control the narrative this time around.
Why a Bathurst finale is risky business for Supercars
The Bathurst Grand Final may provide Supercars its greatest spectacle yet – but there's a risk it will force the series to face a hard truth.
Why Scott McLaughlin must become an IndyCar driver
Scott McLaughlin, two-time and current Supercars champion, should have been making his NTT IndyCar Series debut for Team Penske at the GP of Indianapolis, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced a rescheduling that has put the brakes on his career switch. But David Malsher-Lopez explains why the New Zealander deserves this opportunity as soon as possible.
Tickford's 10-year wait for James Courtney
When the Supercars season resumes James Courtney will be a Tickford Racing driver – but it's not the first time the star driver has flirted with the famous Ford squad.
