RACE TO WIN
BATHURST 1000:
WHILE there are plenty of really strong combinations contesting this year’s Bathurst 1000, the teaming of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes is the standout.
The experienced pair has combined to claim the honours at Mount Panorama on three previous occasions – a hattrick from 2006-2008 – and shape as very hard to beat again.
That probably goes against the form of the Red Bull Holden Racing team this year.
From Holden’s perspective, pretty much all of the teams have struggled for consistency. There’s been glimpses but not the strong, week-in, week-out performances.
All the while, Scott McLaughlin and the Ford Mustangs have been so strong.
But, because of the aero that were made to the Commodore leading into Bathurst, I think they’ve got a much better chance.
Their pace was better laststart in Pukekohe.
But it’s much more than that. There are a lot of other factors. We know how complex Bathurst is. There are so many variables.
Minimising mistakes is always crucial. And for me that falls into the hands of the bigger, more organised teams.
Red Bull don’t make too many mistakes as a racing team.
Lowndes is a seven-time winner and the reigning champion but, now retired from fulltime racing, has joined me in the Fox Sports commentary team this year.
This week he’s back in driver mode.
It’s refreshing to see Lowndes still motivated and invigorated to go and drive.
I’m sure he’s been a bit of a caged-up tiger this year. I’ve seen it on his face.
When you see the cars drive out for the start of a race, there’s some strange feelings that come from you not being in one.
It’s a sport that’s so engrained, so embedded in your psyche, you can’t go cold turtweaks key. It requires ultimate commitment and massive motivation and sacrifice.
At the same time, even if you’ve decided to retire you still have an urge to get behind the wheel.
I drove into town on Tuesday and did a few laps of the track.
Honestly, it’s like Christmas for kids — something you just marvel at.
Bathurst is one of the only venues where I genuinely think ‘Oh wow, it would be good to have a drive’.
It’s the biggest and fastest and most unforgiving race track.
All the things we love about car racing is brought out here.
While I’m backing the veterans of Whincup and Lowndes, series leader McLaughlin obviously looms large.
We’re witnessing history at the moment. It’s been an extraordinary season for McLaughlin.
He cannot be beaten for this year’s championship – sitting 598 points clear in first place after securing a record-breaking 17th win in New Zealand.
I think being that far in front gives him a chance to go open slather this weekend to try and win his first Bathurst title.
If he was only 50 points ahead of the field then he would have to adopt a much more conservative approach.
But when you have such a big gap, you might as well have a massive go at winning.
There’s a constant theoretical argument in pubs and around the water cooler – is it better win the championship or Bathurst?
For me the championship was more important – you had to apply yourself across the entire season, not one day.
But with the grand final status of Bathurst, it has a massive effect on the team and the rest of the country.
It’s a stop-the-nation day in Australian sport, and when you’re able to win Bathurst it’s a pretty powerful thing.
If you’re lucky enough to do both, then you’ve had a bloody good season.
I was lucky enough to achieve the feat in 2001-2002.
In 2002 it couldn’t have been more perfect.
I had Jim Richards with me at Bathurst, 10 years after he told the crowd what he thought of them when he was booed on the podium.
It was a great way for Jim to tell them this time you’re a pack of ‘wonderful people’ after 10 years of drama.
For me, on that day to win the biggest race and wrap up the championship was extraordinary.
That’s a really fortunate position. There’s only McLaughlin who can contemplate that this year.
Don’t worry, it’s certainly won’t be a one or two-horse race. There’s probably a dozen combinations that can win.
The Tickford Mustangs have certainly improved. In New Zealand those cars were every bit the measure of the DJR Team Penske ones. They were right there.
Chaz Mostert and James Moffart will be really hard to beat
Then there’s Shane van Gisbergen and three-time winner Garth Tander, Cam Waters and Michael Caruso and brothers Will and Alex Davison.
And, of course, Dave Reynolds, driving with Luke Youlden. After all the drama of last year – when they faded late after leading for 112 of the first 134 laps – they will be better prepared and will be very strong.
Bathurst is one of the great mysteries. I can’t wait to see what unfolds. The Bathurst Channel on Foxtel has every session of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 LIVE and ad break free during racing on Fox Sports 506 and Foxtel GO