TAFE student on the tools at Bathurst

A successful TAFE match up gave student Nathan Toombs an experience envied by many over the weekend - working on Eggleston Motorsport's V8 Supercars at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Toombs - an 18-year-old automotive mechanical (certificate 3) apprentice - first joined the Eggleston Motorsport team at the Townsville 500 through the partnership between V8 Supercars and TAFE Queensland, learning practical skills in the high octane environment of the Dunlop Series.

Since then, Toombs continued on with Eggleston, joining the team at the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 to offer his assistance.

Last weekend marked his first time to the biggest event on the calendar - the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - where he helped take Paul Dumbrell to victory in the Dunlop Series' Wilson MedicOne Enduro.

Eggleston's co-owner and manager Rachael Wagg said the Townsville-based student has been a beneficial addition to the successful Dunlop Series team and has adjusted well to the fast-paced atmosphere of V8 Supercars.

"I think he enjoyed his time in Townsville with us perhaps more than what he thought he would, he hadn't really experienced that side of the industry before," she said.

"At a race meeting, it's all so full on and flat out, you've got to have somebody that can just go with the flow, and he's just been excellent.

"You want people who understand that you've got to put in whatever it takes to get the job done to be on the track the next day, and he shares the same attitude as we all do and that's something we find very important. Nathan is eager to learn, he's always asking questions and if he doesn't know how to do something, he'll always ask. He knows what's at stake so we're really pleased."

A follower of V8 Supercars for all of his life, Toombs currently works in an engine shop in Townsville while completing his TAFE qualifications.

With aspirations to continue working in the sport, Toombs said the valuable experience with Eggleston Motorsport has even changed the way he works in his everyday life at the engine shop.

"When you come back to the workshop, you're quicker about doing everything. You come back from a race and you're still in fast mode, you're trying to do everything so quickly!" he said.

"It's different to my normal working environment and it's good to be involved in it, I love the people and being behind the scenes.

"It's always good to have this experience on my resume and have those sort of referees to get into the big league - that's the goal!"

Dumbrell's win at Bathurst secured the series lead heading into the final round at the Sydney NRMA 500, while Eggleston Motorsport stablemate Ant Pedersen crossed the line in 18th, and Gary Jacobson failed to finish the race.

Click here for the full results.

Toombs will experience his final event for 2014 at the Dunlop Series finale, the Sydney NRMA 500 in December.