It’s time for the Great Race. The Bathurst 1000 is upon us.
The team have been counting down to this one all year, it’s the Grand Final of our sport, and one everyone wants to win.
Most of the crew made the trek to the mountain on Tuesday, ready for the biggest week of the year.
161 laps is the journey, 1000kms around one of the most iconic circuits in the world… Mt Panorama.
There’s the Dipper, McPhillamy Park, the Chase, Conrod Straight this list goes on and on. Nearly every metre of this circuit is breathtaking.
It’s also one of the most punishing tracks we come across. When the mountain bites, it bites hard, so concentration, especially in the longer stints, is key to success.
The biggest change to this weekend will be the return to the 2016 Dunlop hard tyre, the first time we’ve run on it this year.
It will change things up a little bit in terms of how we go about it, but we’ve got the data from last year to refer back to, rather than entering an unknown.
Strategy is as crucial as ever on Sunday. When to pit, how much fuel to take, and how you conserve fuel are all as important as your on-track pace, so everyone has a role to play this weekend.
Everyone steps up another gear for this event, there’s no denying how special it is.
Car 02 will retain the 1994/Peter Brock tribute livery for this weekend. The response from the public has been incredible, and that livery belongs at Bathurst.
James Courtney and Jack Perkins will debut an all new black and chrome-orange livery this weekend, which will remain on the car for the rest of the year.
The first of six practice sessions will go green at 9:45am on Thursday.
Qualifying is Friday afternoon, with the Top-10 Shootout Saturday afternoon.
Sunday, the biggest race of the year gets underway at 11:10am. We can’t wait.
JAMES COURTNEY
“It’s impossible not to be excited. It’s Bathurst. There is nothing quite like this place.
“To get on the top step of the podium here would be a dream come true.
“It’s one of those races where things can change by the minute, it’s always exciting, and there is always a talking point.
“I can’t wait to hit the track with the new paint job.”
JACK PERKINS
“There is nothing like Mt Panorama. It’s our Grand Final, it’s out biggest race of the year. How can you not love this place.
“We had a solid day at Sandown despite a few little issues towards the end, so we need to keep building from that this weekend, and give it a red-hot crack come Sunday.
“It’s been 20-years since Dad won his sixth Bathurst 1000, so to pay tribute to that with a replica helmet design is pretty special.”
SCOTT PYE
“That first time you drive across the mountain is indescribable. It instantly puts a smile on your face, and is really special.
“The stuck throttle at Sandown really hurt us, but we showed the pace was there late in the race, sticking with the leaders.
“Luffy did a great job all weekend, he was on the money in race mode, and has done plenty of laps around this place, so I’m really excited about what we can achieve together, especially if we can transfer the speed the car had over.”
WARREN LUFF
“We are back at Bathurst, how good is this.
“I made my debut here in 1997, 20-years ago, and it still makes me feel like a kid on Christmas every year.
“While it didn’t end the way we wanted to, there were plenty of positives to take from Sandown. The car was really good in the race, we just need to keep improving that one-lap speed.
“Bathurst is one of those places where things change very quickly, but I’m confident we can put ourselves in a position to be in the hunt. I’d love to get on the top step here.”