What are the biggest Bathurst 1000 what-ifs?
Mount Panorama is a cruel place. If it’s not your day, it’s not your day — but sometimes, it chews you up, and spits you out.
A select few have enjoyed their time in the sun, but many more have brutal tales to tell. However, what if those moments were different?
Supercars asked fans in posts on its official Facebook and Instagram pages, and some big moments stood out alongside some we picked ourselves.
Read on below for some of the biggest ever ‘what-ifs’ at the Bathurst 1000.
What if Murphy and Ambrose didn’t crash?
It was the run-in that defined a generation. You can still debate who was more at fault, but ultimately, the question remains: what happens if they get through The Cutting side-by-side?
What if SVG’s car didn't let him down?
A common one was the gutting moment Shane van Gisbergen lost the 2014 race. Van Gisbergen pulled in from a commanding position for a late splash and dash, but he couldn’t re-fire his car.
What if Whincup didn’t run out of fuel?
Minutes later, we witnessed arguably the most dramatic Bathurst finish ever — Jamie Whincup ran out of fuel, opening the door for Chaz Mostert to get by on the last lap. What if Whincup saved a bit more? What if he stopped? We’ll never know.
What if Dick didn't hit the rock?
Dick Johnson only had to wait 12 months to get redemption, but the scenes of the 1980 race are written in Bathurst (and sporting) folklore. If he dodges that damn rock, does he go on to win? Almost certainly, it changes the trajectory of his eponymous team, but we'll never know...
What if Seton didn’t have an engine failure?
It's truly unfair that Glenn Seton didn't win Bathurst. He came so close in 1995, only for his Falcon to expire within sight of the finish. Larry Perkins came back from last to win, passing Seton on the run to Murray's Corner. If only that Ford motor held together for nine more laps...
What if Skaife's clutch didn't fail?
Mark Skaife was driving like a man possessed at the 2006 event, held in the shadow of Peter Brock's death. Carrying a black bonnet, Skaife soared to pole. Could Holden's man deliver a fairytale? After a few hundred metres into the race, with Skaife smashed from behind with a slipping clutch, the answer was a crushing no. Perhaps that other fairytale wouldn't have happened...
What if Frosty didn't fire off at The Chase?
Mark Winterbottom got his roses in 2013. He should have got them six years earlier, but he flew off the road and through the air at The Chase in the closing laps of the 2007 race. Instead, Craig Lowndes won for a second year with Jamie Whincup.
What if these drivers had a crack?
The likes of Jason Richards (2009), Craig Lowndes (2011), David Reynolds (2012), Shane van Gisbergen (2016 and 2019) and Cam Waters (2020) all had wins within reach, but settled for second. Each time, they were less than a second from victory. What if they had a dive into the Elbow, or in Lowndes's case, at the tree? How different history would read...
What if Reynolds didn't cramp?
Erebus Motorsport has two Bathurst wins, but they so easily could have had back-to-back wins. Cramping behind the wheel, David Reynolds watched his hopes evaporate in minutes late in the 2018 race. Craig Lowndes won, with a distraught Reynolds watching on from the garage.
What if Mostert didn't crash in 2015?
At that time, Chaz Mostert was on song, and closing on teammate Mark Winterbottom in the fight for the title. Mostert pinballing through The Esses was tough to watch, with his weekend (and season) over in qualifying. Does he win again that weekend? Does he win the championship? And does he stay with Tickford?
What if the wildcard didn't spin off in 2019?
Alexander Rossi's off late in 2019 created a storm no one saw coming. The infamous 'go-slow' quickly followed, changing the complexion of the race. Scott McLaughlin ultimately won, and he already had the pace to do so. However, he may have had to charge through instead.
