THURSDAY: More Bathurst memories added to a long list..
ONE OF the best things about Bathurst are the memories it creates.. so we asked The Race Torque community for their favourite ones over the years of The Great Race.
WORDS: Richard Craill IMAGES: Mark Walker
THE FASTEST Thursday in Great Race history added yet another memorable chapter to the already lengthy list of magic moments that the Mountain manages to create each year.
From re-setting his own practice record, to three other drivers joining him in the club of ‘threes’, to Steve Johnson’s stunning effort in TCM or the Carrera Cup qualifying thriller – it had it all.
That’s the magic of Mount Panorama – even the quietest day provides something that is usually memorable.
What’s more, there’s so much history it’s rare that you get more than a handful of people naming one particular moment as their most magic.
For the record, the first live Bathurst 1000 experience for yours truly was the ’07 Great Race, which in the end produced one of the more remarkable series’ of events in the closing few hours that made up for a fairly dull first 100 or so laps.
The atmosphere was electric; the air thick with the weather and with an on-edge crowd who were very much on edge with what was unfolding. Frosty off. Everyone in the fence.. the roar when Stevie J grabbed the lead.. and then when Craig got it back. Truly, memorable.
But if I had to pick one, it’d be 1995. You all know the race. As a staunch Larry Perkins fan (Brocky was out..) it was obviously a hell of a race; but the best moment of all was when LP blew past the Falcon of Alan Jones down Conrod. With the crowd audable over the cars and commentary and Mike Raymond in full voice yelling ‘Heeereee comes Perkins!! Down the outside of 35 Alan Jones, that’s one he’s got rid of!’ that was about perfection.. as an impressionable youngster, that was truly magic.
Still gets me some 24 years later.
To find out what the world thinks, we put the word out on our Facebook and Twitter accounts to get a read on what The Race Torque readers nominated as their pick. Here’s a selection of what they had to say!
YOUR MAGIC BATHURST MOMENTS
Paul Abbott – ‘2006 BROCK – always with us’. – Enough said, really..
Chris Donnelley – ‘I enjoyed 2007 when the race went off’ – Neil Crompton’s classic line from that amazing last 40 laps or so remains a popular moment.
Kelvin Sanders – ‘2017, first time to the Mountain and the two teams I’m a member of came 1-2’. – Always good when you back a winner!
Todd Hazelwood – ‘2007’ – Supercars ace a big fan of ’07 as well.
Mark Alexander – ‘Brocktober 1978, 1979, 1980’
Michael Gray – ‘Bathurst 1972. Peter Brock HDT XU1. Torana Victory’ – racer Mick going with a classic Brock effort!
Shane Eastwick – ‘Chaz passing Whincup on the final lap of the 2014 Bathurst 1000 race’ – yep. Most of our team nominate this race as one of the picks.
Jordan Mulach – ‘I just can’t go past the end to 2014. My first year at Bathurst as working media (work experience kid for the DT), an unbelievable day with the lunch break in the middle, action on every lap and then THAT last lap. At the time I didn’t know I’d be back in every year since so I ran to the FPR garage when Mostert got the pass done at the Elbow to see the team celebrate. That’ll stay with me forever.’ – always like the personal touch.
Motorsport Matty – ‘Tander holding off a charge from Lowndes at the end of 2011. I’d started a new job that day and it’s the only race I haven’t watched live since 1996. I recorded it and was yelling at the TV at 1am having no idea what the result was.’ – Bathurst always generates TV-related yelling. Even on delay.
Metal Grate – ‘2007 closing stages in the rain. Watching DJR hit the lead and Crompo saying the Race has Gone Off.. Actually the 1984 crash on start line. First ever car race i went to. Been addicted ever since’ – Bathurst icon unofficial Twitter account has some opinions. We like them.
Mark Jones – ‘It is so hard to go past @craiglowndes888 overtaking @John_Bowe_in 1994. We all now know the story in great detail but it still remains a stunning moment. HRT going nuts, the look on Dick Johnson’s face. I’m glad of the final result but I do feel for Brad Jones.’ – Arguably the greatest finish until.. well.. the year after, probably..
Jacki – ‘The last 30-odd laps of 2007 Bathurst 1000.‘ – Bit of a trend with the ’07 finale getting another nod.
And then this:
— V8XSeries Online Motorsport (@V8XMotorsports) October 9, 2019
Rusty sculling a beer on the warm-up lap of the great race before doing live TV. Magic moment in sport!
For the heart, to be a #B1000 finisher (though I don't think they classified him), for the crowd, for the officials for letting it happen…https://t.co/VPSZEDI1En
— Sam Tickell ?️???????️ (@RacerViews) October 9, 2019
Always love getting Dwayne Bewley into a story! What a moment!
Richard Craill (administrator)
Working full time in the motorsport industry since 2004, Richard has established himself within the group of Australia’s core motorsport broadcasters, covering the support card at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix for Channel 10, the Bathurst 12 Hour for Channel 7 and Porsche Carrera Cup & Touring Car Masters for FOX Sports’ Supercars coverage. Pretends to be a PR guy / Journalist and sometimes photographer to make ends meet when not yelling at a television in a padded room.
