Australians have always loved the underdog and are fanatical in their choice of sports heroes and teams. Motor racing fans may be the most one-eyed sports fans of all, with many born into the Ford or the (General Motors) Holden family, influenced by Dad’s many years of experience and knowledge in the finer points on mechanical superiority.
Some form loyalties early on by the purchase of an early model classic, be it a Ford GTHO, possibly the sporty lines of a 68 Mustang appeal, or for those who idolise the General, a Torana XU1 or HQ Monaro.
This year’s Bathurst 1000 will see the 150,000 spectators on track and the millions watching the action on television, all divided, blue oval supporters on one side of the fence and those who favour the General on the other, cheering for their favoured marque, or those who follow a particular driver or team.
Emotions run at a million miles an hour on and off the track for the entire 1000 kilometres for teams, drivers and fans. No other Australian rivalry runs as deep or as fierce as the annual mountain showdown of V8 Supercars between Ford and Holden. Months of hard work, dreams and the best laid plans can go up in a puff of smoke if Lady Luck turns her back for a split second in the premier motor race of the season.
Bathurst 2008 will see those loyalties divided again, although motorsport enthusiasts from both sides readily agree that the men who drive these machines, be it a Ford or Holden Supercar, deserve respect and acknowledgment in the tough and dangerous world of motorsport – particularly in the chase for the holy grail of Australian motorsport – a Bathurst 1000 crown.
This October 9 to 12, the Bathurst 1000 endurance race will be a tough one on the motorsport faithful – careers that started decades ago from humble beginnings will wind down after reaching hero status.
Glenn Seton has hinted this may be his Bathurst swan song; Larry Perkins taking in the action from a comfortable chair in front of the telly watching his 20-year-old son Jack tackle the 1000km enduro; Brad Jones possibly facing his last Bathurst drive and Mark Skaife coming towards the end of a memorable career, along with several Bathurst stalwarts facing the last lap on the famous Mount Panorama circuit.
Teary eyes and dreams that do come true might just be the norm at the finish of the great race!
V8 Supercars Round 9/14
| Championship leaders | Points |
|---|---|
| Garth Tander | 2096 |
| Mark Winterbottom | 2043 |
| Jamie Whincup | 2016 |
| Rick Kelly | 1702 |
| Will Davison | 1661 |
