Tander and Percat claim epic Bathurst win
Garth Tander held off a last gasp challenge from Craig Lowndes to claim his third Bathurst 1000 victory, in what many are describing as one of the best Bathurst finishes ever.
Lowndes appeared set to gobble up Tander in the closing few laps; rapidly closing in and seemingly certain to pass as Tander struggled for grip. But Tander held on for his third Bathurst crown and co-driver Nick Percat’s first in his first main game start at Mount Panorama.
The crowd lapped up the thrilling conclusion, left on the edge of their seats as the drama unfolded in the closest finish between two competing cars (non teammates) in the race’s history.
Thankfully for the crowd the weather that had put a dampener on the weekend – particularly Thursday and Saturday when the Shootout was interrupted with a late shower – held off on Sunday.
Fans put on a brave face as they coped with the muddy and wet conditions – particularly those camping in the wet weather; true V8 Supercars fans.
And they were treated to another classic Bathurst. Not only was there the amazing battle for the lead but some great racing and dicing throughout the pack in the final stint of the race, as late safety cars – particularly the one scrambled following David Besnard’s lucky escape; surviving a frightening fireball crash at Griffins Bend – brought the pack together for the run to the line.
It may have lacked a Ford battling for the win and podium places in those concluding stages to set up a real Bathurst ‘Red versus Blue’ battle, but even Ford fans would have been on the edge of their seats as Tander and Lowndes went toe-to-toe in those final laps.
As we said in the preview for the great race, Bathurst tends to deliver drama and excitement like no other event on the calendar. It’s why the fans are prepared to camp in such poor conditions for their chance to be part of it, and people who ordinarily won’t watch V8 Supercars will watch the Bathurst 1000. And the 2011 rendition certainly didn’t disappoint.
Bring on 2012!
