A late afternoon storm threatens to shake-up the closing stages of today’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Forecasters are expecting that a late storm will hit the Bathurst region in the late afternoon, which would add further spice to what is looming as one of the most hotly contested races on record.
Rain has not affected the running of the 1000 since 2009, where showers scrambled fuel strategies mid-race.
Pole-sitter Shane van Gisbergen, who will be joined in the Tekno Commodore by Jonathon Webb, has sublime car control in wet conditions although, like most drivers, insists he would prefer the race to remain dry.
“This place is pretty scary in the wet. I’ve experienced those conditions here in practice sessions but not too much in racing,” said Van Gisbergen.
“I hope it’s dry but if it’s wet we’ll try and deal with it.”
Reigning Bathurst champion Mark Winterbottom is predicting a grandstand finish over the last 20 laps with a tightly packed lead bunch.
“It’s going to be a pretty epic battle,” Winterbottom told Speedcafe.com
“I reckon the last 20 laps is going to be a qualifying run just chasing someone or battling someone.
“I don’t think anyone will run away with it. I think there will be a lot of Safety Cars that will keep bunching everyone back up.”
While last year saw long periods of green flag running, a spate of Safety Cars is being widely predicted due to the on-edge nature of many cars on the new track surface.
Winterbottom, who is sharing the FPR Falcon with Steve Owen, would also prefer dry conditions throughout the race.
“You want it to be dry. It takes the risk away,” Winterbottom said.
“I think the cars are going to be moving around a lot. You’ve got enough risk.”
Scott McLaughlin, who is starting third with co-driver Alex Premat, has an affinity with wet racing but says Bathurst is ‘scary’ when it rains.
“I love the rain but I don’t really want to see it because our car is better in the dry,” McLaughlin said.
“Last time I was here in the wet was 2011 (while racing in the Dunlop Series) and I didn’t like it very much.
“It’s pretty scary in the rain but if it happens it happens.”
Chaz Mostert, who was relegated to the back of the field for passing under red flags Friday qualifying, meanwhile says he would relish the opportunity to make up his rear-of-grid position in rain affected the race.
“Rain gets me excited, I like the rain,” Mostert told Speedcafe.com
“I had an awesome race at Eastern Creek in the rain so I can’t wait to get out there.
“Hopefully if it rains in the last 20 laps and we are in contention. Then I hope it pours.”
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