Mt Panorama Delivers Again.

Chaz Mostert, FPR, SMP400. (C)

    Caught your breath yet? This year's Bathurst 1000 had everything a V8 Supercar fan could possibly imagine. The term "endurance racing" took on a new dimension with this year's race being the longest Bathurst ever at a shade short of eight hours. There was scarcely 25 laps of the 161 lap classic without a safety car intervention. Not only did The Mountain bite hard, but so did the track itself with a patched up section at Griffins Bend (T2) breaking up and claiming a number of victims, prompting an unprecedented red flag while track repairs were carried out. 
    Picking a winner as the race unfolded was nigh on impossible. Normally when we watch the race, about half way through, strategies and possible podium contenders begin to emerge. This year, right up to the end, had no idea!
    HRT's Garth Tander and Warren Luff after suffering their second big crash of the weekend, didn't even start the race. Both Volvo entries crashed at the same spot at The Cutting. At one stage FPR's Mark Winterbottom and Steve Owen looked good. The Bottle-O Ford of David Reynolds and Dean Canto sadly retired with victory in sight. But you certainly had to feel for Team Tekno's Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb who, after being quick all weekend, on pole, fast all race, coupled with great strategy, tragically retired when they seemed bound for an emphatic victory.
    To the victor go the spoils though, as it was FPR's Chaz Mostert and Paul Morris who prevailed in the end. The infamous Turn 2 claimed Morris early on, but they were able to continue. Coming from last in the field and pitting some 13 times, they were able to overhaul the no guts, no glory approach of Red Bull's Jamie Whincup on the last lap as he ran out of fuel. They only led one lap of the race, but it was the one that counts. It was only Mostert's 2nd attempt at the Bathurst 1000 and Morris' 22nd. Incidently, Morris' debut at Bathurst was a year before Mostert was even born. Congrats to Chaz and The Dude. Kudos must also go to the Norton Hornets of James Moffat and Taz Douglas for bagging second for Nissan, and HHA's Nick Percat and Oliver Gavin for securing third. Is the face of V8 Supercars changing? 

    Gold Coast 600's next to wind up the endurance season....

    Best wishes to Marussia F1 driver Jules Bianchi and his family. Our thoughts are with you. Forza Jules.
    

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