Bathurst A-Z guide

It's that time of the year again and it's going to be big. Fire up your engines with Nick Walshaw's A-Z guide to Bathurst.

It's a crazy place up on the mountain and we want to make sure you're right across everything, whether you're a hardened V8 Supercars fan or want to pass yourself off as one for this weekend. From Brocky to Tricky Dicky to J-Dub, we've got you covered.

A IS FOR ALCOHOL LIMIT

On the mountain they say it’s a carton, per man, per day ... perhaps.

B IS FOR BROCK

Little bloke who went so well up this way, his name is now etched onto that trophy drivers risk their lives trying to win.

C IS FOR THE CUTTING

Stops more cars than an RBT on New Year’s Day. Good luck getting through.

D IS FOR DEITY

One of whom you are guaranteed to meet should you drive a Daihatsu Charade onto the mountain campground.

E IS FOR ESKY

And if it hasn’t got four wheels and the towing capacity of a John Deere tractor, forget it.

F IS FOR F-BOMB

Usually deployed by drivers moments before careening into one of those giant concrete barriers.

G IS FOR GRID GIRLS

Put the phwoar into Phwoard versus Holden.

H IS FOR HOLDEN

The most successful brand at the Bathurst 1000. Also where most Aussies enjoyed their first shag.

I IS FOR ICE BATHS

Drivers have been known to take them and, occasionally, a power kip during breaks from the car.

J IS FOR JOHNSON

Yes, there’s Dick, but did you know pit crews also coat their windscreens with Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo? Stops them fogging up apparently.

K IS FOR KANGAROOS

Only animal that truly believes it can stare down anything from V8s to road trains.

L IS FOR LOWNDES

If you’ve tried keeping pace with this driver when he walks the track every morning before dawn -- as we have -- you’ll know why he’s such short odds the moment he steps inside a car.

M IS MOUNT PANORAMA

Climb, descend, repeat. Easy.

N IS FOR NISSAN

No, really. Back for the first time in 15 years.

O IS FOR 05

Like Bradman’s 99.94 or Wally Lewis and that No.6, the figure is forever tattooed to the legendary Peter Brock.

P IS FOR PIT TOILETS

Thursday, great. Friday, slightly disturbing. Saturday, you’ll need a tetanus shot afterwards. Sunday, you’ll want to hold it.

Q IS FOR QUIRKY FACTS

Like that a fuel stop takes 28 seconds, a brake pad change 18 seconds and driver change 15 seconds. Driving through pit-lane takes 32 seconds . . . driving to Bathurst hospital, seven minutes.

R IS FOR ROCK

For more information, see Dick Johnson.

S IS FOR ESSES

Boasts more twists than The Usual Suspects, yet still needs to be attacked at speed.

T IS FOR TRUE STORIES

Start with Bill Brown who, in 1971, flipped into the crowd, survived, then told fans trying to right his car: “Ah, could anyone smoking please move away”.

U IS FOR YOU’LL BE RIGHT

Probably.

V IS FOR VICTORY

It may not be the race that stops a nation but it comes bloody close. Win here and you’re guaranteed a place among the Gods.

W IS FOR WHINCUP

Reigning champ who finished last year’s race with enough fuel to fill a can of Coca-Cola. Or as his sponsors would prefer it written, a can of Red Bull.