Veteran co-drivers bracing for Bathurst weather curveball
Repco Bathurst 1000 expected to be disrupted by weather
Only wet session of the weekend was co-driver only Practice 2
Several co-drivers elected to remain in the garage for majority of session
Some of the most experienced co-drivers in the Repco Bathurst 1000 field are eager for the challenge of wet stints in today's Great Race.
The forecast for today in Bathurst indicates a 90% chance of rain through the day, with showers increasing in the afternoon and early evening, and anywhere between two to eight millimetres of rain expected.
There has only been one session so far this weekend that has been impacted by weather, namely Practice 2 on Thursday afternoon.
That session represented the first co-driver only session of the weekend, with the rain arriving in earnest after a red flag flew for Harri Jones' accident exiting The Chase.
As a result, many elected to keep their powder dry and remain in the garage, playing it safe early in the weekend to minimise and risk of damaging their cars.
The likes of Fabian Coulthard and Todd Hazelwood, who will both be in cars starting in the top three, ran laps in the wet, with the session marking an opportunity to sample the new Dunlop Wet tyre.
"I thought they were all p*****s for staying in," quipped Coulthard, who will be sharing with Chaz Mostert in the #25 Mobil 1 Optus Mustang that will start third.
"I went out just to blow the cobwebs off, so I'm ready for tomorrow," said Hazelwood, who aims to defend his Bathurst crown alongside Brodie Kostecki from pole position.
Coulthard then further elaborated: "I think for Todd and I - I don't think I'm talking out of school - but we haven't driven on the wet before, the new wet especially.
"So I think it was a good opportunity on Thursday to get out there and have a feel and see what it's going to be like in the rain."
Mark Winterbottom, meanwhile, opted the safer option in the Monster Mustang he'll share with Cam Waters from the front row of the grid.
The 2013 Bathurst winner, who will be making his 23rd Bathurst start today, stated that his experience would show when it mattered most, despite the change in wet weather compound.
"We'll see what happens. If it rains, put wets on, put your wipers on, and have a crack," said Winterbottom.
"We've driven here enough in the wet, we've driven the cars enough in the wet, driven on this tyre, so I don't have to be a hero on Thursday, it's tomorrow that counts."
Race day action at Bathurst begins with the Warm Up (which is expected to be dry) at 8:30am local time, before the Repco Bathurst 1000 commences at 11:45am.
