How drivers train for Bathurst

Supercars drivers and teams are in full preparation mode just two weeks out from the Repco Bathurst 1000.

The Great Race, at a gruelling 1000 kilometres, is a test for both car and driver.

The race, held around the gruelling 6.213km Mount Panorama circuit, offers a physical and mental challenge like no other on the calendar.

One such driver well-equipped for the challenge is Andre Heimgartner, who is readying for his ninth Bathurst start.

The ultra-hit Heimgartner will also make his first Bathurst start for the Brad Jones Racing.

Speaking with Supercars.com, Heimgartner detailed the core focus of his Bathurst preparations.

“You go into a bit more of a cardio-based training,” Heimgartner said.

“The main thing we train for is the triple stint at the end.

“It’s not overly difficult, but you want to be prepared for anything that goes wrong in the car, like a cool suit, or a drinks failure.

“You don't want to get to the last 45 minutes and not be able to carry the car to the end, especially if you’re on for a great result.

“For me, I like to do a mini training camp, just to bring up the intensity.

“You mix strength with the cardio and work on your nutrition.

“It's not too different to what you would normally do, but you're just focusing a bit longer length cardio sessions.”

Heimgartner reiterated that the race isn’t so much about bulk strength; rather, it’s a test of endurance.

“You don't need big biceps to be able to do the last three stints,” he said.

“But you need to make sure that leading into the weekend, you're prepared.

Heimgartner has four podiums to his name this season

“Also, that you are mentally rested, because it's such a long week.

"We arrive there on Tuesday, and then we need to perform until the last part of the race on Sunday afternoon to get the results.

“You really need to make sure that you've got everything lined up, your nutrition, as well as being hydrated as you build up to the week.

“Making sure that you're eating well, and any supplements, making sure you have everything ready.

“For myself, I like to be prepared and have everything lined up to give myself the best chance is going to Sunday.”

Drivers reach speeds of over 300km/h, and have to negotiate elevation changes and tight confines.

Temperatures can reach more than 60 degrees plus in the cabin, and the driver's heart rate averages around 170 beats per minute.

To deal with such change, Heimgartner says he prepares by mixing up his exercise routine.

“I've gone through phases of running,” Heimgartner said.

"Macca [Macauley Jones] is very much into his running, so he can have that trophy, but I do a bit more weight-based stuff.

“It’s a lot of circuit work, ranging from everything to squats to some light deadlifts, to ball throws, sit-ups, push-ups, burpees, and rowing.

"I like the ski rower and heaps of variety of exercises. It gets your heart rate up while working on your cardio.

“It's really individual and depends on what you like doing because it takes a long time, so if you don’t enjoy doing it, you won’t do it to the ‘nth' degree.

“As far as the temperature goes, there are different things we can do.

“You can put a bike in a sauna, or a hot room, or even just go in a sauna.

“But by this stage of the season, we've been racing all year, so it's not so much an issue for us main drivers.

“I'd say it's probably more of an issue for the co-drivers that don't do much driving and then they have to normally do the double stint at some point.

“For us main drivers we've been in the car for an hour, two hours at times all year, so it's only a major issue when things go wrong with a cool suit.

Heimgartner, who is expecting his first child, is no stranger to the rigours of the Great Race.

However, even eight starts in, he knows there are still things that can catch him out.

“It’s just the duration of it, but it depends on how your week goes,” he said.

“For me, I struggle with sleep a little bit, so that will be a big focus for me, getting the sleep.

“I guess it's just the concentration, as it's such a long event.

“If you're not relaxed and you're not ready for that Sunday, you can be caught out when your concentration lapses.

“That's when we see people make mistakes.

“I also struggle with cramps a little bit, particularly in my forearms.

“I’ve been working on improving it for endurance races, using different techniques to help, that was my big takeaway for Bathurst last year.

“I have Kyphosis and Scoliosis and my back, so just maintaining my back and making sure it doesn't seize up throughout the day is important.

“Those are my main focus areas, and my overall fitness, so the fitter I am, the less those things are an issue.”

Erebus Motorsport driver Brodie Kostecki is preparing for his fourth Bathurst start.

The Perth-born driver finished third last year with David Russell, and has two podiums to his name in 2022.

One of the taller drivers on the grid, the 189cm Kostecki has again raised his game ahead of the October 9 race.

“I started training a bit harder probably two months ago,” he told Supercars.com.

“I’ve been going at it four days a week with my trainer Phil, working on different fitness compounds.

Kostecki finished third last year

“I’ve been working pretty hard with him the last two months leading into this round.

“There’s nothing in particular in terms of training, I really just like to mix it up.

“It’s something different each day and making sure I’m targeting each area throughout the week.

“It’s more about just keeping a routine.”

For Kostecki, mental strength is a hugely important factor in making it count at Mount Panorama.

“I think Bathurst is more of a mental test, to be honest,” he said.

“It’s not so physical as other rounds.

“I think maybe the Gold Coast 500 will probably be the most physical round that we do this year or even Sydney at the start of the year.

"Bathurst is more of a mental test. You have a lot of media commitments and sponsor commitments leading up to the race.

“It’s really an event that lasts the whole week, plus also the added pressure of it being the biggest race of the year."

Tickets for the Repco Bathurst 1000 are available on Supercars.com and Ticketek.