Classic V8 Supercar racing on Mount Panorama
We here at Hooniverse have a great deal of respect for Australian motor racing. Our name is derived from the Australian term for an automotive hooligan; a derogatory term we are determined to re-claim, we advocate automotive enthusiasm with a sense of social responsibility. And there is no racing league anywhere on the planet that embodies that spirit better than the V8 Supercar Series out of Australia.
This weekend is the Great Race; this is the high-point of their race series, the Bathurst 1000 km endurance race. It is a race that has as much history and heritage as any other in the world, and the tradition and significance of this race cannot be overstated. This race ranks up there with all the greatest endurance races around the world, with the exception of the fact that this is not a one-off 24-hour race. This is just another race in a series, and it’s about five times longer than most of the rest of the races. The same drivers, the same cars, the same teams all have to dramatically change their strategy and head racing for hours. It’s a whole new game, a whole new race, and some of the bar-none absolute best racing you’ll ever see.
And, as always, it is at the mid-point of the series when the pressure has ratcheted up to powder-keg status. Perennial series leader — and least-entertaining driver to watch — Jamie Whincup has the lead in the points standing this year, but his teammate, Craig Lowndes, is one of the all-time legends of the sport, and one of the undisputed greatest drivers the series has seen. Lowndes is closing in fast on Whincup’s lead, and this race easily has the potential to upset the championship standings. The points standing is as close as I’ve ever seen it, with literally a few dozen points separating each of the top ten drivers. Consider this: one major incident that eliminated a few of the top-ten drivers could rocket a driver from seventh or eighth position up to very close to the lead. It’s that close this year.
Add into that mix that Lowndes co-driver is Mark Skaife, who retired from the sport early last year after the most distinguished career ever in Australian Touring Car history. He is widely regarded as the greatest driver in V8 history, and since these two drivers teamed up for the endurance series last year, they are undefeated. It almost seems a foregone conclusion that the team of Lowndes and Skaife will be the victors… but never underestimate the Great Race.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t wish the best of luck to Jason Bright, Hooniverse fan and all-around great guy. His driving ability this year in the #8 Team BOC Holden Commodore has proven intimidating. There have been multiple times this year where he’s driven around some of the greatest drivers in the sport like they were standing still; here’s hoping he can work the same magic on Mount Panorama.
Oh, and for the first time, for our North American viewers, it will be carried live on SPEEDtv. Starting Saturday at 7PM eastern time. Grab some snacks, bunk down, and enjoy the race. Here’s hoping SPEED can manage a level of commentary that isn’t too horribly incompetent.
