BATHURST 1000: Day 4 Thursday Notebook
Four down, three to go.
This is The Race Torque’s daily notebook from Mount Panorama, taking a deep dive behind proceedings of the 1000.
As always, hit us up on the socials at @theracetorque with your hot tips and insider trading!
Castrol for Randle
At 7am it was formally announced that Castrol would be returning as a full-time Supercars sponsor, backing Thomas Randle at Tickford Racing next season.
There was a healthy crowd of media and dignitaries in attendance for the unveiling.
A special hat tip has to go to the video cameramen, who absolutely put their best foot forward in capturing some spectacular vision.
Above is the view from the stills photographers of the videographer’s backs seconds after the covers came off. Nicely done.
Cheers Team Medical
The unsung heroes of the sport are all those who make it happen.
Especially at Mount Panorama, we tip our hat to the Team Medical crew, who are most likely first on the scene when someone has come unstuck.
Like all facets of society, the trackside disciplines have taken a hammering in this COVID period, with border closures forcing the medical team to go on a recruiting drive around the country to boost their ranks.
We caught up with “Millsy” to get the low down.
Love Locked
You may have heard of the Pont des Arts in Paris, a bridge where lovestruck couples place a lock and throw away the key as a symbol of their devotion.
Well, Bathurst is no different, with one couple choosing the catch fence at Forrest’s Elbow to forever demonstrate their commitment to each other.
We assume there is a key to this lock somewhere within the tyre wall…
Catching the Bus
The jam-packed schedule has had a significant impact on the way the photographers operate.
Any typical year, a mini-bus will blast out onto the circuit between sessions, ferrying snappers from the bottom of the hill to Griffins Bend, The Cutting and the Esses.
This time around, the bus is only heading out on track first thing in the morning, with further subsequent shuttles taking place on the perimeter Barry Gurdon Drive to the top of the hill.
The tight timetable is also making it difficult for the photographers to cross the track at the Esses between sessions.
Also, the various kangaroo fences around the facility now make it impossible to commute to the top of the circuit via the internal road system.
Imagine being stuck on the inside of the Mount Panorama at Skyline for a day? That’s a real-world problem…
The Weather Forecast
This will be an absolute kiss of death, but whoever forecasts the weather for Bathurst is a lot like Steve Harmison delivering the first ball of the Ashes: they have bowled a massive wide.
Outside of a few spots of rain (picture: enough to stick all of the dust to your otherwise clean car), the scheduled daily precipitation has failed to deliver.
Fingers crossed they continue to get it wrong…
The Rumble and the Roar
We bang on about the noise of the S5000 cars, and we feel it is with good cause.
Take for instance today’s opening race, when the thundering field set off the alarm in the Medical Car, which was parked near the entry to the pit lane.
Get on the Beers
Hat tip to the lads who could have had a quiet ale from the comfort of their campsite, but instead they went to the effort of carrying an esky down to the apex of McPhillamy Park.
Attaboys.
Track Walk TV
It was interesting to see Fox Sports’ preview show last night feature drivers at different points around the circuit explaining the pertinent points from each section.
The Race Torque literally did this in podcast form, and we released it on Monday.
Give it a listen!
Sunrise Snaps
Earlybirds getting the worms, etc.
This is Daniel Kalisz, he is the best photographer on the tour, pictured here getting that winning sunrise snap.
Of note, with the race falling in December, and planet earth wobbling on its axis, the sun was not ideally positioned for this shot like it is in October.
Clearly, this is something event organisers should consider when planning the next calendar.
Fully Gripped Up
Of note from the grid walk, there is this massive line of hugely grippy crack sealant straight down the right-hand side tyres of the cars lining up the left-hand side of the track.
An unfair advantage, or a potential broken axle?
Total Blowout
Did a low flying helicopter send this lovely Repco shade structure skyward?
Uber Eats, Mount Panorama Style
Having a side hustle is important.
Like this bloke, pumping effluent during the day, delivering piping hot pizzas at night.
Somebody has to do it…
Live and Loud from Bathurst
Frankly, this is doing motorsport correctly.
Some live music broke out today within the bar on the inside of The Chase.
Quality stuff.
From the Internet
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Horses for Courses
ICYMI: Bathurst on TRT
Today:
Wednesday:
BATHURST 1000: Day 3 Notebook
BATHURST 1000: Wednesday Photo Gallery
BATHURST 1000: The Co-Driver Class of ’21
Tuesday:
BATHURST 1000: Day 2 Notebook
BATHURST 1000: Tuesday Photo Gallery
BATHURST 1000: Trucks at the Track
Lead Up:
BATHURST 1000: Day 1 Monday Notebook
PODCAST: Bathurst Track Walk
BATHURST 1000: First Look Track Walk
BATHURST 1000: Gurus, Hoodooes and Trivia Tidbits
Bathurst’s Other Astonishing Motorsport Museum
BATHURST 1000: Be An Armchair Expert Strategist
PODCAST: The Massive Bathurst 1000 Preview
The ‘Race that stops a nation’ is yet to happen
HOT
Supercars at Mount Panorama
NOT
Red flags, who else is over them?
MEME
Throwback to Sydney Motorsport Park…
Mark Walker (administrator)
A vastly experienced Motorsport Public Relations operator, journalist, commentator and photographer, Mark brings his unique angle to The Race Torque in both words and imagery. As well as serving as our key photographer on the ground at major events around Australia (and overseas), Walker will often chime in with his unique and pin-point sharp viewpoint of the racing world via the keyboard too.
