A collection of Australia’s best racing drivers have united at Mount Panorama today to mark the launch of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, celebrating 50 years of racing on Mount Panorama.
Colin Bond, Allan Moffat, Jim Richards and Dick Johnson as well sat their modern day colleagues Russell Ingall, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup came together at Mount Panorama today for press activities, four weeks away from ‘The Great Race.’
Today’s focus centred around the King of the Mountain, Peter Brock, where the drivers paid tribute to the missing immortal by laying a wreath at the Peter Brock memorial, followed by a moment of silence.
Five time Bathurst winner Lowndes, Brock’s protege, said this year’s event holds a special place with all the drivers.
“We are remembering moments that have made history, many that have shaped our sport and sharing them so everyone can be a part of 50 years of racing at this great place,” Lowndes said.
During the day the Bathurst legends re-enacted some of their own awesome moments at Mount Panorama allowing Australians to re-live all the magic from yesteryear.
V8 Supercar CEO David Malone said celebrating the memorable moments at Mount Panorama was an important part in paying homage to the sports heritage.
“Remembering and reliving the awesome moments at Bathurst allows us to pay tribute to some of the sports greatest,” said Malone.
“Mount Panorama is ranked among the most difficult tracks in the world, it has put Australia on the map in terms of racing and this year we are remembering all the people who made racing on the mountain famous around the world.”
The next event of the V8 Supercars Championship will be held in outer Melbourne for the traditional Bathurst warm-up, the Dick Smith Sandown 500.
CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com’s latest episode of the Crimsafe Endurance Countdown, previewing each team in the lead-up to the Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 races.
See below for a photo gallery from today’s media launch.
