Thread: Bathurst

The AFL & NRL Grand Finals are over and done with.
Sydney won Melbourne's number 1 game and Melbourne has won Sydney's.
The Pommie Biter has been suspended for 12 weeks.

So now its time for Bathurst.

I think the earliest one that I remember as a kid was Colin Bond's in 1969.
As a kid it would be get up early on Sunday morning and watch the old black and white for a bit of pre race entertainment and interviews with the experts and a few of the top prospects for the day.

Then the race was on. Back then it was the Hardie Ferado 500.
500 miles racing of cars in 5 different classes, the classes weren't based on engine capacity or horsepower, but purely on the purchase price of the car in Australia.
So you had Datsun 1000s, Toyota Corollas etc in Class A for cars under $1860, going up to the Class E which was full of Alpha Romeo 1750 GTVs, cars over $4,500.

The most hotly contested, and class that would provide the ultimate winner was Class D with cars from $3,101 to $4,500, filled with the yobbo's favourites, Falcon GTHO & the Monaro GTS350.

As a kid, I'd watch the first hour or so of the race, then head outside to play with my mates for a while, then home for lunch and watch a bit more. Then clear out again but make sure I was back home to catch the last half hour or so.

Along with the Castrol 6 hour (for motorbikes), these were great races. The vehicle that won on Sunday, you could go out and buy on Monday.

Come this Sunday though, its a completely different beast that races Bathurst.

The V8 Supercars now contest the The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 (1000 klms instead of 500 miles)
Although the cars look a bit like a model that you could go to the showroom and buy, the similarity with a road registered car ends with the outside shell.
Now they are 600 Horse power monsters.

The magic of Bathurst though isn't the cars, the drivers or the distance.
It's the Mountain.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Panorama_Circuit

The track is 6.213 km (4 mi) long, and is technically a street circuit, as the circuit is a public road when no racing events are being run, and there are many residences which can only be accessed from the circuit.

The track is an unusual design by modern standards, with a 174 metre (570 foot) vertical difference between its highest and lowest points, and grades as steep as 1:6.13. From the start-finish line, the track can be viewed in three sections; the short pit straight and then a tight left turn into the long, steep Mountain straight; the tight, narrow section across the top of the mountain itself; and then the long, downhill section of Conrod Straight, with the very fast Chase and the turn back onto pit straight to complete the lap.

Historically, the racetrack has been used for a wide variety of racing categories, including everything from open-wheel racers to motorcycles. However, the factors that make the track so unusual, and tighter contemporary safety standards, make it unlikely that major race meetings in these categories will be held there again, and as such it has become the near-exclusive province of closed-bodied automobile racing cars.

As a public road, on non-race days and when it is not closed off during the day as part of a racing event, Mount Panorama is open to the public. Cars can drive in both directions around the circuit for no charge. However, a strict speed limit of 60 km/h (37 mph) is enforced, and police regularly patrol the circuit.

Team BOC's Jason Bright gave NASCAR great Darrell Waltrip his first taste of a V8 Supercar today, taking him for some hot laps around Mount Panorama.

Peter Geoffrey Brock, AM (26 February 1945 – 8 September 2006)

So many great drivers mate.

Allan Moffat, Colin Bond, Dick Johnson and of course Brocky sailing around the mountains of Bathurst doing miraculous things in basically stock standard vehicles, with a few extras.

One of the greatest races in the world.

By the way my brother in law still has one of the first produced limited edition Brock Commodores still in mint condition. Must be worth a bundle these days.

youtube.com

The race was won by Jim Richards and Mark Skaife driving a Gibson Motor Sport prepared Nissan Skyline GT-R. Richards and Skaife had to be declared the winners after a rainstorm swept across the race in the closing stages causing many accidents in conditions deemed by race officials too dangerous to continue and race results were issued as at the 143rd completed lap, 18 laps short of full race distance. The Dick Johnson Racing run Ford Sierra of Dick Johnson and John Bowe was classified in second position with Richards and Skaife's team mates Anders Olofsson and Neil Crompton in third.

"I'm just really stunned for words, I can't believe the reception. I thought Australian race fans had a lot more to go than this, this is bloody disgraceful. I'll keep racing but I tell you what, this is gonna remain with me for a long time, you're a pack of arseholes." (Richards continued to talk on, but his microphone audio feed was cut off and commentated over)

Jim Richard's infamous post race comment.[1]

1992 Tooheys 1000 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

and of course the history shows that Ford and Holden could not beat it so they banned it

Bathurst RIP .

live coverage now at

Official V8 Supercars - YouTube

Video: The 10 best Bathurst moments from the last 50 years

This would be my earliest defining memory.


And another soldier for the war is born..

cant remember, was it Bond's car that burnt upon the back of the truck at the end of the race? I remember they cut it up and sold bits as souvenirs.

WHINCUP BEATS REYNOLDS IN BATHURST THRILLER
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9:15 AM Sun 7 October, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
JAMIE Whincup has beaten David Reynolds to team with Paul Dumbrell to win a race of the ages at Mount Panorama today.

In 30 of the most intense, relentless and high-pressure laps contested in the 50-year history of the Great Race, Whincup held off attack after attack from Reynolds to win his fourth Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Whincup won by just 0.3s after the final five laps saw the two streak away from the field as they battled for the win.

The battle was clean but will be remembered by the more than 57,000 people in attendance today as one of the best in Bathurst's history.

It was the first win for Paul Dumbrell and certainly a coming-of-age for Reynolds, who showed maturity beyond his years in his pursuit of the TeamVodafone driver.

Craig Lowndes fought his way to third in the closing stages after pit strategy saw he and Warren Luff buried in the field for large chunks of today's race.

James Courtney and Cameron McConville finished fourth and Michael Caruso and Greg Ritter fifth for Fujitsu Racing.

BigPond Sport will have a complete race report online soon - stay tuned for more.

In the meantime, check out our extensive lap-by-lap coverage here:

GOOD Morning and welcome to our live coverage of the 2012 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - after three days of practice and qualifying, it's finally time to go racing.

A massive crowd has gathered at Mount Panorama this morning with, with people sleeping on the spectator mounds in sleeping bags overnight to reserve their spot and the ideal vantage point.

There is a special anticipation about today's race and if yesterday's Shootout is anything to go by, it should live up to expectation.

It was a crisp morning here on the mountain - but we're expecting a top of 18 degrees and a mostly sunny day.

29 cars are on the grid and set for the start. To remind yourself of how they line up, check out our story from earlier today here.

WARM UP LAP - cars underway on their formation lap here at Mount Panorama under clear, blue skies and in front of a mammoth crowd.

Starting drivers: Davison, Dumbrell, van Gisbergen, Winterbottom, Coulthard, Tander, Slade, Reyolds, Luff, Owen, Webb, Bright, Rick Kelly, Courtney, Holdsworth, Ritter, Moffat, Johnson, Todd Kelly, Fiore, Wall, Murphy, D'Alberto, Ingall, Reid, Perkins, Pye, Reindler, Waters.

161 laps await as the cars come around Murray's corner and form up on the grid.

Green Flag. Here we go for the biggest moment in Aussie Motorsport...

START: It's Dumbrell into turn one, he edges out Davison but they run side by side up Mountain Straight!

Wild - Davison and Dumbrell side by side through Griffin's Bend and the FPR driver takes the lead!

van Gisbergen passes Dumbrell at Falken Elbow and moves to second.

END LAP 1 - It's Davison who leads the first of 161 laps, van Gisbergen second, Dumbrell, Coulthard, Tander, Slade, Winterbottom (From 4th), Reynolds, Luff and Bright inside the Top 10.

LAP 2 - Davison edging out his lead in the TradingPost Ford, and van Gisbergen pulling away from Dumbrell, who is the first of the co-drivers running in the race.

Very clean start by all, looked like contact-free run for all 29 cars through turn one.

Dumbrell sets the quickest lap of the race on Lap 2; 2m10.8873s.

LAP 3 - This weather really is perfect. It's about 18C outside at the moment, and not a cloud in the sky. Perfect conditions for racing and for the big crowd.

van Gisbergen the quickest on Lap 3, he has the gap to Davison down to just 0.5s. Coulthard, Tander, Slade, Winterbottom, and Reynolds now all bottled up behind Dumbrell in third.

Lap 4 - The Mount Panorama Lap record has been broken twice today in both support categories; Porsche's and V8 Utes. The V8 Supercar record is 2m08.4651s, set by Jamie Whincup in 2007 - five years ago to the day, in fact.

van Gisbergen now right on the back of the leading FPR Falcon. Two leaders one second ahead of Dumbrell.

Lap 5 - the Giz fades a little this lap, through Davison bangs in his best lap of the race at a 2m10.20 to extend the margin.

1st to 29th position covered by just 20 seconds after five laps!

Lap 6 - The Top 10 - Davison, van Gisbergen, Dumbrell, Coulthard, Tander, Slade, Winterbottom, Reynolds, Luff, Bright - all covered by just 4.6s.

The top 21 cars lapped within one second last time around - it's a very competitive start to the race!

LAP 7 - Positions 10 - 20: Bright, Kelly, Courtney, Owen, Webb, Ritter, Holdsworth, Johnson, Murphy, Todd Kelly, Moffat.

Murph up to 18th from his 22nd place on the grid..

LAP 8 - Davison the first into the 2m09s, with a 2m09.73s lap. He's now 1.6s in front of van Gisbergen, who in turn is 0.4s up on Dumbrell.

LAP 9 - We understand some minor clutch dramas for the Wilson Security Holden of David wall. he dropped from 21st to 24th at the start but seems to be motoring along fine at the moment.

Positions 21-29 - Ingall, Moffat, Fiore, Wall, Reindler, Perkins, Reid, Pye, Waters.

LAP 10 - great battle emerging between Luff and Bright, the Team BOC car up two places now to 10th.

Warren Luff pits car #888 from 9th position, and Rick Kelly follows him in as well. Electing to go off-sequence early in the race and avoid the stacking issue we saw last year.

Some debris across the grille of the Lowndes / Luff TeamVodafone Holden, but no dramas reported.

Four tyres for Luff in his stop.

LAP 11 - Davison by 2.5s. Biggest battle on track between Courtney (10th) and Owen (11th).

LAP 12 - Courtney and Owen run side by side up to turn two, but the HRT Commodore holds on.

Webb in the mix too, he fires one down the inside at the Caltex Chase and passes Steve Owen for 11th.

Courtney is struggling, in the low 2m11s.

LAP 13 - Delaminated left-rear for the Kelly Racing car that stopped on Lap 10. Rick Kelly with tyre dramas early in the race, this will be a concern for the Jack Daniel's team.

We also understand that the TeamVodafone team were forced to pit with a tyre issue. More news as we have it.

There's dramas for the Dean Fiore / Matt Halliday Jim Beam Ford - seems to have been stuck solid as it exited the pit bay from the stop.

LAP 14 - With Davison 3.1s up the road, Dumbrell is now attacking van Gisbergen for second place.

Dick Johnson Racing were unable to move Fiore's car without the use of go-jacks - perhaps a brake issue.

Courtney bounds across the runoff at the esses at the top of Mount Panorama, but holds postion.

Webb passes Courtney at the Caltex Chase but Courtney immediately pits the HRT Commodore.

LAP 15 - Cam McConville has taken over the #22 HRT Commodore.

"We had front-end issues from the start and I think it's a front upright issue." - Dean Fiore.

LAP 16 - Tim Slade has faded to 3s behind Garth Tander, and runs fifth. He's got Mark Winterbottom and David Reynolds right behind him.

Confirmed - a Delaminated left rear for James Courtney. That's the third for the race so far. This is going to be the key story of today's race.

Coulthard attacking Dumbrell for third place.

LAP 17 - Slade is under immense pressure from Winterbottom at the moment - struggling to get the car turned and it's sliding all over the place at the top of the Mountain.

No stop for Slade - he's going to continue on.

There are a couple of main battle packs in the top half of the field at the moment; van Gisbergen, Dumbrell, Coulthard and Tander dicing for second, third, fourth and fifth, and Winterbottom and Reynolds attacking Slade for sixth.

LAP 18 - Whincup with the helmet on in the TeamVodafone bunker.

Winterbottom still attacking Slade but can't get past the Lucky 7 SBR machine.

Jack Perkins pits #33 from 21st position.

LAP 19 - Davison, van Gisbergen, Dumbrell, Coulthard, Tander, Slade, Winterbottom, Reynolds, Bright, Webb. That's the top 10.

And Winterbottom pits from sixth position. They've had enough of running behind Slade. Coulthard also stops.

Richards in for Frosty. Two-time Bathurst champion and first to win the great race in both a Holden and a Ford.

LAP 20 - The tyres that came off the #5 FPR Ford looked much better than their rivals who stopped much earlier.

Johnny Reid has stopped the Tekno Autosports Commodore on the exit of the Cutting - Could this be the first Safety Car?

Leader Davison pits.

SAFETY CAR #1 - the Pedders / STP Nissan is on track.

Much of the field taking this chance to get into pit lane and get some service.

Mass driver changes happening with co-drivers happening in (or Whincup, if you're TeamVodafone).

LAP 21 - van Gisbergen pits - he stayed out initially and will hold track position thanks to staying out for that extra one lap.

"I had a bad start and got away badly. We have a bit of Understeer and that hurts my straight line speed and makes it a big hard. But we're not worried because there is a long way to go." - Mark Winterbottom.

"We only got the call at the last minute, it's good we got in. Lot of people having some tyre issues, and I was being told that info - I was trying to be as cool on the Left Rear as possible. It's going to be a strategy race again." - Will Davison.

LAP 22 - Corrected order after the mass pit stopping;

McIntyre (Davison), Youlden (van Gisbergen), Luff (Lowndes), Canto (Reynolds), Kelly (Russell), Percat (Tander), Besnard (Coulthard), Jones (Bright), Whincup (Dumbrell), Richards (Winterbottom).

By stopping early, Luff and Kelly have gained track position - Richards and Whincup have lost it.

"Unfortunately it's all over for us. It's a shame. It's something with the gearbox. Johnny has come out of the corner and lost all drive. I think I'm going to go up to the top of the mountain and have a watch - I've never been up there before! - a philosophical Michael Patrizi, the first DNF of the race today.

LAP 23 - We're still under Safety Car here at Mount Panorama. A chance to catch the collective breath after a fast start!

Restart forthcoming..

LAP 24 - We're back racing on the 24th of 161 laps.

Canto passes Rick Kelly at Turn 2. Kelly stopped on lap 10, as did Warren Luff - so their tyres have done 14 laps compared to the fresh rubber for everyone else.

LAP 25 - Luff passes Youlden for second place at turn two. No shortage of race pace for car #888, it seems.

Top 10 is filled with co-drivers: only Kelly (6th) and Whincup (9th) are full-timers.

Besnard tries to pass Percat at the chase, but runs wide and drops some momentum to fall into the clutches of Andrew Jones and Whincup.

LAP 26 - Jones passes Besnard at turn one - Whincup attacking also.

Whincup passes Besnard at the Chase.. there's some willing racing going on behind them, too, as Caruso and Richards go side by side through the final corner as they battle for 13th position.

LAP 27 - Replays showing Richards ran wide at the chase and dropped four places as a result.

Youlden has dropped back from Luff, he's 2.1s behind and well in the clutches of Dean Canto in Dave Reynold's #55. They're batting for third place with Rick Kelly and Nick Percat watching on behind, too.

2m10.0 for Luff, he's 0.7s quicker than leader McIntyre - but remember, he's also been running for 18 laps as he stopped early. Less fuel = more speed!

LAP 28; McIntyre, Luff, Youlden, Canto, Kelly, Percat, Jones, Whincup, Besnard, Thompson, McConville, Caruso, Richards, McLaughlin, Morris, Simonsen, Baird, Wood, Klien, Kelly, Blanchard, Davison, Pither, Premat, Reindler, Pye, Dixon. Reid and Halliday in the bunker.

LAP 29 - Luff now has the gap down to 0.9s as he chases McIntyre, but we're expecting a stop soon for Team Vodafone.

LAP 30 - Massive fight for 20th through 24th positions - Christian Klien on track for his first stint is dicing with Alex Davison, in the Tru Blu Ford he's sharing with James Moffat.

LAP 31 - Battle for 3rd still on between Youlden and Canto. The Bottle-O Ford applying consistent pressure but still unable to work his way past.

LAP 32 - Canto down the inside at Murray's to take third position away from Luke Youlden.

Jamie Whincup pits from 7th position. He had just passed Andrew Jones.

Four tyres and fuel going on Car #1.

LAP 33 - And it's confirmed: Tyre dramas for Whincup. There was a big chunk of rubber missing from the inside edge of the left rear. That's both cars from that team..

With Canto released from Youlden, he's now the fastest man on track and the only driver in the field doing 2m10s. He's catching second-placed Warren Luff.

LAP 34 - Luff Leads the race. We didn't see it on camera here, but he's got the car to the front and ahead of McIntyre.

Very slow middle sector for McIntyre. He pits #6 from second place and last stopped on Lap 20. Dramas?

Canto moves to second place and Youlden finds himself in third once again.

LAP 35 - Tyres, fuel for McIntyre and he's back out on track.

Luff passed McIntyre at Reid Park at the top of the hill - the FPR Ford got to the inside of the circuit and out the way.

Report from pit lane: McIntyre perceived there was a problem with the tyres of the FPR Ford, however it seems there was no issue and it looks like that stop may have been unnecessary.

LAP 36 - Luff pits from the lead and Craig Lowndes takes over Car #888. Rick Kelly also stops. Both cars stopped at the same time, on Lap 10.

LAP 37: Percat going slowly at the top of the Mountain - it looks like he has made contact somewhere across the top.

Percat wide at the esses and then makes contact with the wall at the Dipper and has badly broken right front suspension. Defending champions look like their hopes are gone.

Percat still limping the car back to the garage.

"Day's over, sorry guys," - Nick Percat on the radio to HRT pit.

LAP 38 - A couple of cars starting to come into contention now, too - Cam McConville up to 5th in the sister HRT car.

LAP 39 - Wincup passes McIntyre for 23rd, Lowndes 25th after his stop.

SAFETY CAR #2 for debris at Caltex Chase, and almost the entire field has stopped.

LAP 40 -This caution works perfectly for Wincup and McIntyre - and Lowndes, too - they essentially now get back on sequence with everyone else but have gained track position.

So, Lap 40: Whincup, McIntyre, Canto, Youlden, Lowndes, Ritter, Jones, McLaughlin, Simonsen, McConville, Richards, Morris, Russell, Owen Kelly, Baird, Klien, Wood, Thompson, Blanchard, Besnard, Perkins, Davison, Pither, Gaunt, Waters.

When asked 'are you having tyre issues', David Reynolds answered "No.... Maby... Perhaps.. Who knows?". Holding his cards close to his chest, the Bottle-O driver!

LAP 43 - We're back to green racing.

Whincup clears away at the front as the field runs up the hill. Canto third, Youlden fourth and Lowndes fifth.

Todd Kelly (37), Lowndes (36) and McIntyre (34) are the key contenders who did not stop on Lap 39 during the Safety Car.

Whincup with a 2m10.37s lap and clearly in front. McIntyre the only other driver in the 10s on the first flying lap.

One-Quarter race distance.. Long way to go!

LAP 44 - McLaughlin and McConville moving forward - 8th and 9th, respectively now with Simonsen back to 10th in the Jim Beam Ford.

Reports from Dick Johnson Racing that the #17 Tru Blue Ford has a misfire.

Andrew Jones battling with Scott McLaughlin 8th position.

Steven Richards passes Allan Simonsen for 10th, but runs wide out of the final corner and is re-passed by the Dane.

LAP 45 - That move has cost Richards, too. Paul Morris has slipped past, as well. Dramas for FPR on the mountain once again!

LAP 46 - Canto now battling with McIntyre for second place, with Youlden and Lowndes tucked in behind.

Whincup 5.2s out in front now.

LAP 47 - The battle for second now ranges all the way back to Scott McLaughlin in 8th position.

Lowndes passes Youlden for 4th position

LAP 48 - Lowndes harassing Canto now, for third place.

2m09.78s for Whincup leading, but second-placed McIntyre and everyone behind him only in the 2m11s and losing massive amounts of time. Canto and Lowndes clearly quicker, but they're not able to get past.

Nick Percat is back in the #2 HRT Commodore and drives out of Pit Lane, back into the race but a long, long way down the order. Championship points the goal now.

LAP 49 -Intense battle for second continuing with a train of seven cars all locked in behind McIntyre.

LAP 50 - Greg Ritter (6th), Jones and McLaughlin (8th) are all locked into this fight.

Percat pits #2 once again, car doesn't look quite right in the front end.

Whincup out in front by 12.1s

LAP 51 - 10.2s for Whincup, 11.5s for McIntyre. TeamVodafone car pulling away.

LAP 52 - Whincup, McIntyre, Canto, Lowndes, Youlden, Ritter, Jones, McLaughlin, McConville, Simonsen, Richards, Russell, Baird, Thompson, Morris, Klien, Wood, Davison, Besnard, Kelly, Blanchard, Perkins, Pither, Douglas, Gaunt, Waters, Fiore (Back on track), Percat (Pits), Reid (OUT).

LAP 53 - McIntyre is doing a fantastic defensive job at the moment, but it's allowing Whincup to street away out in front of the field. He's gained 16s in 12 laps.

LAP 54 - "Craig is doing a great job, he's being held up a bit but it's all good. We've had tyre issues like most people but it seems good now. I think the teams have changed tyre strategies in terms of what pressures are at. Drivers are also being conscious about what we do with regards to kerbs. Craig is in for a double stint now so I've had a shower and am kicking back - it's nice!" - a very relaxed Warren Luff.

LAP 55 - Steve Owen has crashed the VIP Petfoods car at Turn 2, having just take over from Paul Morris.

McIntyre runs off the road at turn two and loses second position. It's all happening.

SAFETY CAR #3

Steve Owen still in the VIP Ford. Replays showing that he couldn't get the car stopped at turn two and speared into the barriers at high speed - big lateral impact.

Whincup pits #1 from the lead.Canto, Lowndes, Youlden, Ritter, Jones, McLaughlin and McConville all stop. As do Simonsen and Richards.

Baird and Thompson continue.

LAP 56 - Steve Owen out of the car.

Stacking at Team Vodafone again. Lowndes staying in the car but they will lose track position and will be outside the top 10.

Dumbrell back in Car #1, Reynolds in #55.

Some chatter about the rear wheels spinning on Car #6 during the stop.

LAP 57 - This may be a lengthy Safety Car as they remove the DJR Ford.

McIntyre left the #6 Ford in gear when he jumped out of the car - which is what caused the wheels to spin. Should be fine.

LAP 58 - Baird leads, he didn't stop. Nor Andrew Thompson, in second. Dumbrell, Reynolds, Bright, Caruso, Courtney, van Gisbergen, Winterbottom and Webb complete the Top 10.

LAP 59 - Back underway with the pair of Stone Brothers Racing Fords leading the way having elected not to stop.

LAP 60 - "We've still got a long way to go but at the minute I'm having a great day. The BOC car is rocking along really well. It's great to drive. We've flown under the radar a bit. At this point in time, we have pace, we're just working our way forward." - Andrew Jones enjoying himself.

Baird and Thompson side by side as they crossed the control line at the end of the lap, Thompson taking the lead in the Lucky 7 racer.

LAP 61 - Race Control investigating an unsafe release from pit lane by Car #34.

Dumbrell passes Baird for second at Turn 2, Reynolds now attacking as well.

Baird with no rear grip - his rear tyres are shot. Baird making it hard though.

Caruso passes Bright for fifth position and there is contact from behind as well.

Massive freight train in this battle for position.

Reynolds slices down the inside at Murray' and takes second.

LAP 62 - 100 laps to go!

Bright copped a hit from Courtney after being passed by Caruso - great save on the exit of the elbow.

Baird behind Caruso now, the IRWIN Ford dropping backwards.

Thompson continues to lead, Dumbrell catching him in second.

LAP 63 - Jason Bright passed by James Courtney on the run into the Cutting. He and McConville are looking strong in this early stage of the race. Baird is his next target.

van Gisbergen pits the #9 SP Tools Ford - he's only been out on track for 8 laps..

Lowndes is 11th, Will Davison now 16th.

LAP 64 - Delaminated tyre for van Gisbergen. That's wht they stopped.

LAP 65 - Bright passes Baird for sixth place in a drag race on the pit straight. Winterbottom also slips through.

LAP 66 - Fabian Coulthard and Will Davison are dicing for 13th and 14th position.

Andrew Thompson pits the Lucky 7 Ford from the race lead.

LAP 67 - Drive Through Penalty for Will Davison. That's for the pit lane infringement when the rear wheels were spinning at the stop, with the car left in gear.

Shake of the head from Will Davison as he rolls down the lane at 40km/hr. Another blow for FPR.

LAP 68 - Davison is furious, onboard camera showing a very unimpressed #6 driver shaking his first in frustration behind the wheel, as he exits the lane.

"It's bloody disgraceful mate, that's what it is." - Davison on the Radio.

LAP 69 - Dumbrell leading Reynolds by 2.4s. Caruso third, Courtney, Bright, Winterbottom, Johnson, Webb, Lowndes and Greg Murphy complete the Top 10.

Murphy has been the quiet achiever today. The Pepsi Max Crew car has gained 12 places from their 22nd qualifying effort.

LAP 70 - Lowndes dicing with Steve Johnson for 8th position.. shades of 2007 all over again!

LAP 71 - "It's pretty tough. I've been racing against 30 year olds and I'm only a teenager. Webby is doing a great job. When he comes in to have some lunch I'll jump back in and have a go. The boys are great, team great and I'm as comfortable as I've ever been." - Scott McLaughlin having a good day.

LAP 72 - Full Order - Dumbrell, Reynolds, Caruso, Courtney, Bright, Winterbottom, Webb, Lowndes, Johnson, Murphy, D'Alberto, Coulthard, Murphy, Kelly, Klien, Wall, Gaunt, Douglas, Premat, Davison, van Gisbergen, Slade, Waters, Russell, Holdsworth, Fiore, Owen (OUT), Percat, Reid (OUT).

LAP 73 - Dumbrell by 3.3s. Top 10 covered by 21s and all the cars on the lead lap (25) by 1m28s.

LAP 74 - Well done to Tony D'Alberto and Dale Wood - they've cracked the Top 10 for the first time today, running 10th.

LAP 75 - Winterbottom now harassing Bright for 5th place.

LAP 76 - Frosty passes Bright at Turn 2, and Lowndes also has a crack but the door is firmly shut on the similar Holden!

LAP 77 - Holden, Ford, Holden, Holden, Ford, Holden, Holden, Holden, Ford, Holden - that's the Top 10!

Lowndes pits from 6th position. He's elected to get out of the traffic and run in some clean air.

Fabian Coulthard also stops and switches drivers to David Besnard in the Lockwood Racing Commodore.

LAP 78 - Warren Luff in car #888. He should run to approximately lap 100 before Lowndes runs to the flag.

D'Alberto up to 8th, from 23td on the grid!

LAP 79 - Need to mention the strong job so far by the Shannons Supercar Showdown winner Jesse Dixon, and Dunlop Series ace Cam Waters. They're running strongly in 24th position, have had a trouble-free run so far and are lapping competitively, too.

LAP 80 - Mark Winterbottom now lapping in the 2m10s in the FPR Ford. He's 5th and the only other driver in the field, aside from leader Dumbrell, in the 10s.

Dumbrell has just reached Skyline on his 80th lap - that's exactly half race distance!

Murphy locking the rears and running wide at the final corner... rejoins with no issues and no positions lost.

Dumbrell pits car #1 from the lead.Winterbottom covers, Bright, Murphy and D'Alberto also all pit from inside the Top 10.

Christian Klien will also hand over to Russell Ingall from 10th place - great drive so far.

LAP 82 - David Reynolds assumes the race lead, with Michael Caruso up to second place.

"I'm feeling good. Bit of a sore lower back, but otherwise really good. We're both keeping it clean and tidy. We need a Safety car, to be honest, but we're going OK. It's weird to be leading the team, I've only done 5 Dunlop rounds - but it's awesome!" - Cam Waters.

Reynolds and Caruso pit from the lead, Courtney, Wall, Davison and Gaunt also stop.

LAP 83 - Shane van Gisbergen now in front of the race with Dumbrell back behind the wheel of #1 and in second.

Luff chasing Richards and battling for 7th and 8th.

LAP 84 - "We're a little bit back in the pack we don't have the pace to win and we just want to make it to the end, so we just need to put fuel in every time we can. We're soaking in the essence of the Mountain!" - Taz Douglas on the Team iSelect strategy that has seen them stop NINE times so far.. They are 22nd, with Scott Pye driving.

LAP 85 - 24 cars still on the lead lap. van Gisbergen by 8.5s.

2m11.5 for the Giz last time around, 2m10.8 for Dumbrell.

LAP 86 - Richards and Luff dicing for 6th position. Richards defends at Turn two, moves to the right and then back to the middle of the road to stave off Luff.

Bad Sportsmanship Flag for #5 - that will be for moving more than once in defence of his position.

(Otherwise known as 'blocking').

LAP 87 - The Top 10: van Gisbergen, Dumbrell, Canto, McLaughlin, McConville, Richards, Luff, Ritter, Holdsworth, W. Davison.

LAP 88 - Luff through on Richards at Turn 2. He's now 6th.

SP Tools Stone Brothers team in pit lane, and car #9 rolls towards them at the end of Lap 88.

Luke Youlden to take over the car, four tyres and fuel going onboard.

LAP 89 - Dumbrell retakes the lead in Car #1 and has an 8.1 second lead over Canto. Scott McLaughlin in third place now.

Lap 90 - Race average speed so far is 159km/hr - or 99.2MPH in the old scale!

Lap 91 - Dale Wood jumps aboard the Team Hiflex Ford, replacing Tony D'Alberto as they continue their strong run.

Trouble at the top of the Mountain! David Besnard has spun the lockwood Ford into the sand trap at McPhillamy Park and that's a massive blow for the team.

McLaughlin, Luff, Holdsworth and Davison all pit from inside the Top 10.

LAP 92 - SAFETY CAR #4 on track.

Besnard did that all on his own, missing the apex at the entry to McPhillamy and heading straight across the gravel, sideways, before stopping just short of the grass verge between the track and gravel at the exit of the sand trap.

Canto pits from second.

Co-driver mistakes are proving costly today. Fabian Coulthard and Will Davison have both been dropped down the order thanks to apparent mistakes by their driving partners.

LAP 93 - Let's go through the full order now that we're under caution once again.

Dumbrell, McConville, Richards, Ritter, Canto, Kelly, Jones, Pither, McIntyre, Youlden, McLaughlin, Reindler, Thompson, Luff, Davison, Baird, Wood, Ingall, Simonsen, Blanchard, Pye, Premat, Kelly, Dixon, Besnard (PIT), Halliday, Tander, Owen (OUT), Reid (OUT).

Still 23 cars on the lead lap as we approach Lap 100.

LAP 94 - Besnard reported issues with the front end of the Lockwood Commodore before the crash.

LAP 95 - Back to racing.

"It's out of my hands. I'm not 100% sure what happened until we download the car and look at the data I know as much as you do. This joint doesn't seem to like me." - Fabian Coulthard.

John McIntyre turned around at the Cutting by Luke Youlden on the race restart, drops to last place.

LAP 96 - Youlden was running 9th but went side by side with McIntyre into the Cutting and turned the FPR car around. That's generally not accepted as a passing point, so it will be interesting to see what race control thinks of that...

LAP 97 - Reports through that Steve Owen failed to pump the brake pedal enough prior to his heavy crash earlier today. Steve is OK and is in the DJR garage with the team.

LAP 98 - Dumbrell out in front by 2.4 seconds over Cam McConville, with Steve Richards third 1.1s behind.

LAP 99 - Some interesting racing between Karl Reindler (10th) and Chris Pither (11th) and a whole train of cars that are locked in behind the battling Holden's.

Ritter, Canto and Jones all chasing Richards hard for third.

LAP 100 - Dramas for Team iSelect; the car has dropped on to seven cylinders and are in pit lane for the 12th time today - could be the last time, too.

There's the 100 lap milestone up. Things starting to heat up now, but this race is very hard to read as to whom - aside from the otherwise dominant TeamVodafone #1 car - can actually contend for the win in this race.

LAP 101 - Dumbrell, leading, does a 2m10.8 and is the only driver in the Top 16 in the 10s. Rick Kelly has some pace aboard #15 - he's just done a 2m10.7 in P16.

LAP 102 - "It was actually good, we planned to do one stint, then it was a double stint but it ended up as a triple stint. The car wasn't too racy, it was okay across the top but we lost a bit out of the elbow. It was a pretty clean run and no mistakes so it was okay. The racing itself is pretty clean - I haven't seen any crazy stuff from drivers around me." - Christian Klien.

LAP 103 - There is a massive train caught up behind Chris Pither in the Wilson Security Holden; Warren Luff working hard to get past and get into clean air.

Luff passes Pither at the elbow and clears him. Alex Davison, Craig Baird, Dale Wood and Rick Kelly all still stuck behind the pink-liveried car.

LAP 104 - THREE WIDE up Mountain Straight as Rick Kelly passes both Craig Baird and Dale Wood in a wild move up into turn two!

Kelly is on a charge! He's just passed Pither into the chase with some more very tough racing and some excellent passing.

LAP 105 - Dumbrell in a class of one at the moment, driving away from McConville (2nd), whilst third-placed Richards drops backwards from the HRT Commodore.

SAFETY CAR # 5 - Andrew Jones in the sand at the final corner.

It's another pit stop flourish with most of the field pouring into the lane.

Replays showing Andrew just ran wide into the sand with no apparent braking on the Team BOC Holden.

Most main drivers are taking over their regular rides - and they should be right to go to the end of the race as the co-drivers have completed their mandatory lap distance so far (54 Laps).

LAP 106 - Whincup, Reynolds, Ingall, Courtney, Caruso, Winterbottom, Webb, Rick Kelly, Davison, Murphy, van Gisbergen, Wall, Lowndes, Premat, D'Alberto, Slade, Johnson, Kelly, Gaunt, Holdsworth, Davison, Dixon - they are the runners on track following the stops.

LAP 107 - Still under Safety Car.

LAP 109 - RESTART

Most believe it's a one-stop run to the flag from here.

Jesse Dixon just lightly touches the wall at the top of Mount Panorama trying to avoid the leaders, who are storming through.

Car #888 is being investigated for an unsafe release during the previous pit stop sequence. There was a close call as Lowndes was released into traffic.

LAP 110 - Reynolds going with Whincup in the battle for the lead, Courtney sits third.

"I got out there, haven't done a lot of laps and was on new tyres and able to have a crack. By the end of the stint we were struggling and just didn't seem to have the straight line speed of the others. I'm wrapped - the car is in good shape and handing well." - Chris Pither was in the thick of it before the stops.

Greg Murphy with a 1m10.51 on Lap 110 - he was the second fastest man on track. Is Murph working his way into this race as a real contender?

LAP 111 - 50 laps To Go.

Whincup, Reynolds (+1.03), Courtney (+1.4), Ingall (+1.9), Caruso (+2.4).

LAP 112 - Lowndes and TeamVodafone clear of any wrongdoing with their last stop - no penalty for car #888. Crowd liked that bit of news!

Just 22 seconds cover the entire field on the lead lap.

Ingall pits from fourth place.

LAP 113 - Great sight here at the moment - it's the 1980s all over again. Lowndes in the period Brock-liveried Holden is chasing Alex Davison in the Tru Blu / Dick Johnson Ford as they battle for 10th place.

SAFETY CAR #6 - David Besnard in the gravel at the same point as Andrew Jones did to bring out the previous yellow.

Youlden pits #9, and Davison the #17 Ford. They'll take a gamble with this Safety Car with less than 50 to go.

LAP 114 - Davison also stops #6 from 21st position. It's a long stop, with dramas from the right-front corner. He's a long way down the order but may have one stop left to the others two (as would #9 and #17). He doesn't have track position - but strategy might help him salvage something from a horrible day so far.

LAP 115 - RESTART with 47 laps remaining.

Whincup, Reynolds, Courtney, Caruso, Winterbottom, Webb, Rick Kelly, Murphy, Lowndes, Slade the Top 10.

LAP 116 - "The way our week has been - it's been absolutely horrible - to be running in the Top 10 at this stage of the race, we're really happy with that. Hopefully Murph can drive it up there a bit further. You get some vibrations out there and it makes you nervous and I'm surprised we've had no dramas." - Owen Kelly.

LAP 117 - Reynolds closing on Whincup in the battle for the lead.

LAP 118 - first through 10th position are line astern and covered by just 5.8 seconds. Very tense battle at the moment as drivers look to extend their fuel window as long as possible before their stops.

LAP 119 - Greg Murphy attacking teammate Rick Kelly in a battle for 7th and 8th position. Team orders, anyone?

LAP 120 - Murphy has a look on the exit of the Cutting as Kelly has a slow run, but thinks better of it and backs out.

LAP 121 - Ingall and Youlden dicing for 17th and 18th. They - and Alex Davison in 16th - are the latest to stop in the race and should be able to make it on one stop.

We believe everyone else should need one more plus a splash-and-dash to make it.

LAP 122 - We're getting word through of new record crowd this weekend - 207,205 people across the four days. Incredible numbers for an incredible event.

LAP 123 - 2m10.8 last time around for Rick Kelly and he pulls away from Murphy, who now has Craig Lowndes filling his mirrors.

It's Whincup, Reynolds, Caruso, Winterbottom, Webb, Rick Kelly, Murphy, Lowndes, Slade, Wall, Johnson, Kelly, Alex Davison, Holdsworth, Ingall, Youlden, Premat, Will Davison, Gaunt, Waters, D'Alberto.

LAP 124 - 2m10.1s lap for Whincup leading, and he's the fastest car in the race. First five consistently in the 2m10s.

LAP 125 - Tony D'Alberto takes the Team Hiflex car into pit lane.

LAP 126 - Lowndes passes Murphy into turn 2 to take eighth.

Lowndes clear of Murphy and pulling away from his fellow Holden hero.

LAP 127 - Broken steering arm for D'Alberto's Ford...

2m10.8 for Whincup, 2m10.9 for Reynolds and 2m11.03s for Courtney.

LAP 128 - However.. the fastest man on the track is Craig Lowndes - 2m10.8095s last time around.. Track position is his major issue though - he's 8th.

LAP 129 - Lowndes passes Rick Kelly at Turn one. He's now 7th..

Murphy runs the Pepsi Max Crew car in the escape road at the final corner.. runs wide, drives off and continues with no position lost.

Winterbottom pits from 5th position. Will need 31 laps to the flag from a tank of fuel and that might be an issue.. no one has gone that distance so far today...

LAP 130 - Frosty resumes - he's the first of the heavy hitters to rejoin the race.

Alex Davison up to 12th, and 26.5s behind the leader. We believe he is the first car that can make it easily on one stop.

LAP 131 - 26 laps to a tank of fuel here today... perhaps a little more with the reserve pump but that's about it. If this stays green until the end it's going to be a very, very tense finish to the race as people attempt to not run out of juice.

Word from Pit Lane is Frosty had to stop earlier than expected, as they had a left rear tyre issue and had to stop. Campbell Little say 'Push, and we'll see what happens'.

LAP 132 - Will Davison off the road at the Chase - he has a broken watts linkage in the rear end of his FPR Ford. Sad end to a very sad day for the polesitter.

He's able to rejoin the circuit and make it to pit lane, so no Safety Car yet..

LAP 133 - Replays showing that Davison had a failure of some kind entering the chase at 290km/hr, firing the car across the gravel and into retirement.

LAP 134 - leaders have completed 27 laps since their last stop - but they are going to have to stop very, very soon and just make it to the line.

Whincup, Reynolds, Caruso, Webb, Murphy all pit. Courtney stays out.

LAP 135 - Courtney peels off into the lane to make what should be his final stop. One more lap out of the #22 HRT Commodore.

Slade and Lowndes also stop. All key contenders now completing their final stops..

LAP 136 - Courtney's stop was not good and he's come out behind Michael Caruso in the Fujitsu Racing Holden!

Alex Davison (#17), Russell Ingall (#66) and Luke Youlden (#9) assume the top three spots and should stop within six to seven laps.

Or not.. Ingall pits and Youlden, too.

LAP 137 - Alex Davison out in front on his own now, he leads by 34 seconds. James Moffat will jump in car #17 to finish the race.

David Reynolds is charging at the moment, chasing Whincup down. Less than 0.5s between them. Reynolds has NEVER won a V8 Supercar race.. this is a big day for him.

Davison pits from the lead..

James Courtney sets the quickest lap of the race 2m09.7260 - he'll be fourth on corrected times.

LAP 138 - The intensity has just risen a massive amount here now. Reynolds continues to push and Courtney is flying back in fourth place.

Everyone is rolling the dice. TeamVodafone are saying they do not believe Reynolds can make it to the end if he tries to pass Whincup.

LAP 139 - Courtney past Caruso for third and absolutely flying. Top four covered by 2.3 seconds.

Whincup 10.6, Reynolds 10.7, Courtney 10.1, Caruso 11.3s.

1.4 seconds covering the Top 3.

Shane van Gisbergen sets the race's fastest lap; 2m09.5962s. He's 14th.

LAP 140 - Courtney is flying! He's basically now got to the back of Reynolds and the HRT Commodore is flying.

2.1 seconds across the Top 4.

Top three locked together with 21 laps remaining.

LAP 141 - Courtney passes Reynolds for second at Forrest's Elbow!

Late braking move from Courtney and Reynolds had absolutely no answer.

The very large Holden Racing Team component of the 57,000 here are on their feet as Courtney passes by, now in second place.

LAP 142 - The last two champions of our sport - Whincup (2011) and Courtney (2010) dicing for the lead of the biggest race in the land. Does it get any better?

Whincup responds with a 2m09.92s lap to make the lead 0.8s.

LAP 144 - 18 Laps To Go. Whincup 2m10.01, Courtney 2m10.08, Reynolds 2m10.08s.

Top 10: Whincup, Courtney, Reynolds, Caruso, Lowndes, Webb, Slade, Rick Kelly, Holdsworth, Ingall.

The Rest: Moffat, van Gisbergen, Premat, Wall, Winterbottom, Perkins, Johnson, Todd Kelly, Reindler, Waters.

LAP 145; Lowndes has passed Webb for 5th position. What has car #888 got to give now it's in clear air?

"Who would have thought it would be this nail biting towards the end.. I'm literally biting my nails! J-Dub is doing a great job and it's in the hands of the gods now." - Paul Dumbrell.

LAP 146 - Reynolds set his personal best lap of the race last time round. Engineer James Small has given the OK to push.

Lowndes a 2m09.768s in fifth. He is quick. If he gets some help (We're talking Safety Car) he can be a factor once again.

LAP 147 - Reynolds closes on Courtney, will he try to return serve on the factor Holden.

This works for Whincup - as his main rivals battle he can drive away.

2m10.44 Whincup, 2m11.27 for Courtney. The HRT car starting to struggle.

LAP 148 - HRT on the radio asking Courtney if he needs to pit. He has tyre issues.

Reynolds attacks at the chase - Courtney runs wide but Reynolds still cant get past.

LAP 149 - Reynolds is charging hard but Courtney is not giving way. This is allowing Whincup to back off his pace at the moment, easing on his fuel load on the run to the flag.

Reynolds side by side with Courtney through the kink at the chase and executes the move! He's now second!

LAP 150 - Reynolds trails the leader by 1.2 seconds with 11 laps remaining in another Great Race.

Reynolds is flying up to the back of the #1 car.

It's 0.6s as they enter Conrod Straight..

2m10.7 for Whincup and 2m10.2 for Reynolds. Those few laps he had in behind Courtney just looked after his tyres and all of a sudden he's come alive again!

LAP 151 - With 10 laps remaining these two are driving superb races. The gap has steadied at 0.7s and you know Reynolds will give this everything he has.

#1 10.5, #55 10.2 - another three-tenths to Reynolds last time around, but the gap really is negligible.

LAP 152 - Caruso has got to the back of James Courtney and is applying the pressure to the former champion.

Lowndes is 6.8s behind the leaders - he's pulled it down by 6s following the stops.

Rick Kelly pits from 10th position.

LAP 153 - Reynolds closer than ever. One car length in the battle for the lead.

Rear tyres starting to fade on Whincup's car - it's now just starting to slide a little more than it has been...

LAP 154 - The margin just ebbs and flows and this time Whincup has pulled 0.5s to Reynolds. It looks like #1 is still able to control the margin as he needs to.

Meanwhile, Lowndes has hunted down and caught Michael Caruso and James Courtney in the battle for third..

LAP 155 - Reynolds there again. The fans are on their feet here at Mount Panorama - and the battle for third is raging as well. Lowndes attacks Caruso but not quite close enough yet.

LAP 156 - How can this race continue to deliver incredible races like we have seen today? This is sensational stuff, Whincup and Reynolds just trading sector times, trading track position and playing the game with five to go.

LAP 157 - Lowndes tows Caruso up Mountain straight, Caruso blocks and Lowndes switches back and their is light contact between the pair. Great battle for fourth place and it's allowing Courtney to edge away in third..

Whincup to Reynolds = 0.5s.

LAP 158 - this is the underdog versus the most successful driver in the sport over the last six years.

Lowndes through on Caruso for fourth place, and he's set sail towards the rear of James Courtney.

LAP 159 - Three to go.

The TeamVodafone car has some serious mid-range torque up the hill, Reynolds has no answer in a straight line up Mountain Straight.

Lowndes 1s behind Courtney. And coming.

Lowndes down the inside of Courtney for third! Gets him! CL is third!

LAP 160 - TWO TO GO. What a thriller. This is amazing stuff and Reynolds continues to attack but Whincup - well, he's the best in the business and has every answer so far.

Reynolds with a big moment out of the dipper.. oversteer.. costs him a few car lengths.

These two are driving away from everyone else. It's relentless.

FINAL LAP - What a showdown. Reynolds right there. Holden V Ford.

Fans on their feet. Reynolds LOCKED to the back of the Vodafone car.

He's saving it for the chase. That's where a move is going to happen.

It's Whincup! What a Motor Race. Astonishing!

0.31s the final margin. Fourth Bathurst win for Whincup and the first for teammate Paul Dumbrell.

Originally Posted by trabant

live coverage now at

Official V8 Supercars - YouTube

I was really impressed with the quality of the live coverage.

Picture quality was good and there were no pauses in the feed at all.

Nissan & Mercedes will join the fray next year.

Originally Posted by TizMe

Nissan & Mercedes will join the fray next year.

Nissan is returning .

The Big Race Tomorrow
If Harryiwishicoulda wants to see great racing get on board

Brrm brm no wonder so many loose fillies in Orange Parkes and Forbes

Been there done them

Bathurst Rocks. Greatest motor race on the planet!

Always worth watching the great race,wish the bikes still raced there,that was the best way to spend a easter.

^got arrested one easter big few days cost me my job
Loved it

Is it on True?

Originally Posted by Necron99

Is it on True?

Yes mate, highlights of F1 will follow

How far are you Aussies up your own ass ?

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Originally Posted by Necron99

Is it on True?

Yes mate, highlights of F1 will follow

How far are you Aussies up your own ass ?

Generally grab the nearest Pom to use as a yardstick, you up for it Dill?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

So many great drivers mate.

and you never mentioned one bloody Kiwi...you even mentioned a Canadian.