Hall of Famer Bond scores special Gen3 Supercar hot lap
Racing legend Colin Bond scores special Gen3 Supercar hot lap
Supercars Hall of Famer celebrates 83rd birthday with Sydney lap
Bond taken around Sydney Motorsport Park by Anton De Pasquale
Supercars Hall of Famer Colin Bond has enjoyed a taste of Gen3 Supercar machinery, celebrating his birthday with a hot lap alongside Anton De Pasquale.
Bond won the 1969 Hardie-Ferodo 500 at Mount Panorama and the 1975 Australian Touring Car Championship, and was inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame in 2002.
The legendary driver turned 83 on Monday, and marked his birthday with a passenger ride in De Pasquale’s DEWALT Chevrolet Camaro.
He also staged a photo in the driver's seat before De Pasquale took over and took him for a ride.
Bond has been trackside with Team 18 for a number of years, supporting the team amid an ongoing friendship with Team 18 owner Charlie Schwerkolt.
“It was great. The car had a lot more grip than I thought it would," Bond said.
"It’s not bad over the bumps around here. My head kept banging on the roll cage but lucky I had a crash helmet on!
“Anton’s a fantastic driver. I’m glad Charlie has him in his team and I wish them all the best for the season ahead.
Schwerkolt said: “It was an absolute pleasure to have Colin Bond join us for a hot lap with Anton in the DEWALT Racing Camaro.
"Colin is a true legend of Australian motorsport, and it’s always fantastic to have him in our garage.
“He’s a great friend of Team 18 and is always welcome with us at the New South Wales rounds. Seeing him enjoy the experience and celebrate his 83rd birthday in style was really special.
"We’re thrilled he had a great day, and we look forward to seeing him at the track again soon.”
De Pasquale raced to a trio of top 10s in Sydney, maximising race pace after battling in qualifying to sit seventh in the drivers' standings heading to the next round.
De Pasquale is 136 points behind Waters heading to the Melbourne SuperSprint, which will feature at the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Australian Grand Prix 2025 on March 13-16.
