How drivers are getting to Bathurst
The annual pilgrimage to Mount Panorama has begun ahead of this weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000.
A 28-car grid will line up for this year’s Great Race, with 56 drivers set to tackle the tough 1000-kilometre enduro.
Travelling from across the country, drivers opt for different modes of transport to make their journey to Bathurst.
Supercars.com takes a look at how drivers are travelling to Mount Panorama.
Matt Stone Racing
The Queensland-based team traditionally completes the 1000-kilometre road trip from their Yatala workshop to Mount Panorama each year.
Todd Hazelwood kept the annual tradition alive in his last season with MSR, driving his EastCoast Bullbars Toyota LandCruiser to Bathurst on Monday.
He was accompanied by teammate Jack Le Brocq, with the duo arriving at the mountain on Monday evening.
Jack Perkins
Erebus Motorsport co-driver and veteran broadcaster began his journey to the mountain over the weekend, piloting the transporter carrying Erebus Motorsport Boost Mobile wildcard.
Perkins, who will make his 17th consecutive Bathurst 1000 start alongside Will Brown, completed the 800-kilometre journey from Victoria to Mount Panorama.
James Courtney
Tickford Racing’s James Courtney made his road trip a family affair, completing the 1000km journey with his two children and partner Tegan Woodford.
The newlyweds are expecting their first child together this month.
The Gold Coast-based family began their trip on Monday, stopping along the way for some family-friendly fun.
Craig Lowndes
Triple Eight wildcard entry Craig Lowndes takes his time getting to Mount Panorama from his Queensland home.
Joined by his wife Lara, the pair spend a week on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales.
Beginning in Forster, the Lowndes’ will spend time fishing before continuing to Yamba.
It’s an annual tradition for the seven-time Bathurst winner who has made the 1000km drive for the past 10 years.
Nick Percat
Walkinshaw Andretti United’s Nick Percat will drive from Melbourne this year, after moving back from the Gold Coast in August.
Aboard his Volkswagen Amarok Ute, the 2011 Great Race winner will take to the mountain alongside Warren Luff this weekend.
Scott Pye
Team 18’s Scott Pye will be arriving in Bathurst in style, driving the new General Motors Chevrolet Corvette.
Making the eight-hour drive from Melbourne, Pye shared his pitstop to fuel up on BP Ultimate on Monday, before taking a lap around the Mount Panorama circuit.
Will Brown
Erebus Motorsport’s Will Brown will clock up kilometres on his trip to Mount Panorama, but in the air.
The #9 Boost Mobile Commodore driver will fly his light plane to Bathurst.
Taking off from his hometown of Toowoomba, Brown will arrive at the mountain on Tuesday.
Declan Fraser
Dunlop Super2 series leader Declan Fraser will clock up plenty of kilometres this week, performing double duties at Mount Panorama.
The 22-year-old will fly from Brisbane to Sydney on Tuesday, before making the three-hour road trip to Bathurst.
Curating a playlist to keep him entertained on his travels, the #888 Supercheap Auto Commodore driver will make his first main game Great Race start alongside Craig Lowndes on Sunday.
Brad Jones Racing
Brad Jones Racing drivers started their journeys to Mount Panorama on Tuesday, with the four-car squad travelling from Albury, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
Bryce Fullwood and Jaxon Smith will make the road trip from Melbourne via Sydney, while Andre Heimgartner is driving from Victoria.
The #8 R&J Batteries Commodore driver is picking up teammate Macauley Jones in Sydney before making the three-hour drive to the mountain.
Jack Smith has the longest journey of the BJR crew, opting to drive from the Gold Coast.
Cars will hit the track at Mount Panorama for Practice 1 on Thursday October 6.
Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.
