My first Bathurst 1000 since last century, I took up an offer of free accommodation in a real house, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though I had lost interest with the V8Supercars on introduction of the COTF..
My first was 1968, (50 years ago … bluddy ‘ell) so my sentimental favourite was the Holdsworth #18 in the Monaro livery from that year.
1994 was the last visit, and at the time wondered who the kid was that was hanging around with PB, so Craig Lowndes’ win this year was a nice bookend. I really felt for David Reynolds’ who had put in a brilliant effort all day until it all fell apart.
But the ‘racing’ is processional, and the mixing up, passing, and speed differentials are long gone.
The Touring Car Masters, if they can race without a crash and safety car, are the big entertainers.
The 86’s sound like a swarm of bees, the Porsches are a louder swarm of bees, and the soot blowing utes are a chance for a toilet break, and snack.
The Saturday Brock auction was somewhat disappointing.
I thought that the cars were real, restored race cars, but most were ‘tribute’ (fake) mockups, so …. interesting to look at, but …..
On Friday when we got tickets, we had been told to be there by 6.45pm as it was to start at 7.00, but that was the opening time, and the auction did not start till 7.45.
Scott Pye’s car took about 15 minutes to sell, then there was a video tribute to PB, and by 9.00pm they had sold his ’87 VL, a pair of gloves, ’01 Targa Tas ute, Mobil rally car, some magazines, and had just started on his Targa Tas XU1.
We then decided that it was way past old farts bedtime, we didn’t have $2M available on our credit cards, and we were likely to be still at the auction and missing the start of Sundays race, so gave the rest a miss.
But, all in all, a great weekend, but nothing like the ‘good ole Holden v Ford days.’
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