History rewritten at Bathurst
The last campfire has been doused and the last XXXX Gold has been downed but the memories of the 2010 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will forever stick in the minds of those who attended. As usual, this year’s Great Race at Mount Panorama did not disappoint with plenty of action both on and off the track.
Craig Lowndes has instilled himself as one of the legends when he beat Greg Murphy’s longstanding record lap time around the Mountain and went on to win the race with co-driver Mark Skaife. But the unsung heroes that make up the legend of the Bathurst 1000 are those who lug tents, firewood and an esky on their annual pilgrimage.
This year the ante was upped with a challenge to those who camped at McPhillamy, Sulman and Reid to turn their small piece of the mountain into their own XXXX Gold Retreat with some cracking results. Others who day-tripped it in to watch the biggest motor race in Australia stopped by the real deal down in the merchandising area and a good time was had by all. Most live by the rule of ‘what happens at Bathurst stays at Bathurst’ but some funny stories always make their way to the ears of those beyond the ones who lived it. One such story that was relayed was where a couple of fans mistook V8 Supercars CEO Martin Whitaker for Englishman David Addison who was imported to commentate the race. It goes something along the lines of when the boss went to introduce himself, they responded by saying “we know who you are; you’re that pompous git who does the commentary!”. For the record, Addison does an extremely competent job with his ‘very British’ calm and collected analysis of the race.
Pic: BYO Retreat competition winners for 2010.
While some of the fans would have walked away from the weekend with slightly sore heads, Fabian Coulthard left feeling sore full stop after his massive rollover in the opening lap. Thankfully he walked away from the wreck which is testament to how safe the V8 Supercars are. Another car which was severely battered at the demanding circuit was the retro liveried Commodore of Will Davison and David Reynolds, in stark contrast to the sister Toll Holden Racing Team car which finished on the podium at the hands of Garth Tander and Cam McConville. They rounded out an all-Holden podium behind TeamVodafone’s one-two finish, a massive effort from the team at the Mount.
Mount Panorama is just as cruel as it is kind and Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom is one driver who again suffered its wrath. After scoring pole position for the race, a delaminated tyre put a stop to his and Luke Youlden’s charge and left plenty wondering whether Frosty’s fortunes would ever turn around at the Great Race.
The Red might have dominated over the Blue at this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 but as they say, there’s always next year. This also rings true for the legions who are already making plans to make their annual trek to the motor race that stops a nation in 2011. In the meantime, the V8 Supercars continues its 2010 Championship at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 which takes place from October 22-24.
Pic: Holden redwash at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000
Credit: Justin Deeley
