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    31 October 2017

    I lost my Bathurst virginity. You should too

    By Mitchell TulkMitchell Tulk
    He has qualified in pole position for today's 1000km race. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    Mount Panorama is without a doubt one of the world's best race tracks, and you can drive on it, most of the time.

    Being a massive revhead, it's always been my dream to drive Bathurst in something Australian. I have now ticked this off my bucket list.

    The track is so peaceful when it isn't the Bathurst 1000. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) The track is so peaceful when it isn't the Bathurst 1000. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    Serving as a public road for the majority of the year, it would be a crime not to go and experience the track in person.

    My car of choice, a VFII Calais, was one of the last locally manufactured Holden's to come out of the Elizabeth plant.

    The Commodore... I mean the Calais is the king of the mountain. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) The Commodore... I mean the Calais is the king of the mountain. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    While it wasn't an SS or even a V8 for that matter, it was still so fitting to roll around the track in a big, Aussie-made sedan.

    I couldn’t contain my excitement when I pulled onto the pit straight for the first time, this is where 25 thunderous Supercars line up every year to battle over 1000km for the Peter Brock Trophy.

    Insert 25 rumbling V8 engines here. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Insert 25 rumbling V8 engines here. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    Driving through 6.213km of iconic corners leaves you speechless, as does the steep incline and decline of the mountain. No matter how many times you see it on TV, nothing can prepare you for this.

    The Calais was right at home. Flowing through The Esses and trundling down Conrod Straight (at the 60km/h speed limit), nothing is more Australian than driving on The Mountain in a rear-wheel drive Holden sedan.

    Except for maybe getting married at McPillamy Park. Yes, we witnessed this event during our visit. 

    • Speed and power! Well it looks like it. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Speed and power! Well it looks like it. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Plenty of cars and a bike challenging for the lead here. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Plenty of cars and a bike challenging for the lead here. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Such a beautiful backdrop. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Such a beautiful backdrop. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Imagine having this view for 161 laps. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Imagine having this view for 161 laps. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Every sight on the track is a beauty. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Every sight on the track is a beauty. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Clip the apex. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Clip the apex. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • The Dipper. Try not to clip the wall on the exit. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) The Dipper. Try not to clip the wall on the exit. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Hitting a speedy 60km/h down Conrod Straight. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Hitting a speedy 60km/h down Conrod Straight. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • If you look to our left this is where Fabian Coulthard rolled his car in 2010. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) If you look to our left this is where Fabian Coulthard rolled his car in 2010. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • The spot where Jamie Whincup, Garth Trander and Scott mclaughlin came together last year. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) The spot where Jamie Whincup, Garth Trander and Scott mclaughlin came together last year. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)
    • Across the line in a time a lot slower than 2:03.8. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Across the line in a time a lot slower than 2:03.8. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    I’m proud to say I have now driven on the same track as Bathurst greats like Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, Dick Johnson and Craig Lowndes.

    If any motorsport fan and car enthusiast hasn’t treated themselves to cutting a few laps at Bathurst, you just need to. Even with the speed limit heavily enforced, it's still a journey of enlightenment.

    Peter Brock would be proud. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk) Peter Brock would be proud. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

    Have you driven Bathurst? Let us know how you found it in the comments.

     

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