Preparations for the 2024 Repco Bathurst 1000 have stepped up a notch with Supercars drivers James Golding and Tim Slade on track with the line marking crew, lending a hand in painting the famous Mount Panorama circuit ahead of next week’s race.
The PremiAir Nulon Racing duo joined the team from Dubbo’s Central West Linemarking, who are engaged to paint the track boundaries and other important linework around the 6.213 km stretch of bitumen.
The two drivers swapped their helmets and Chevrolet Camaros for high-vis and a seat in an Isuzu F Series dual control truck with a customised road painting platform from Core Equipment in Canada.
Getting an altogether different view from the cab, the Supercars drivers said it was an eye-opening experience to witness the level of preparation required in bringing aspects of the race together.
“I have turned a few laps of Mount Panorama in racecars, but this was a very different perspective!” Mr Golding said.
“My Supercar is a special piece of kit, but the process and accuracy of the customised dual control Isuzu truck from Central West Linemarking definitely gives it a run for its money.
“The circuit and the track limit lines need to be up to the highest standards for Supercars racing. What I can say for certain is that the track is ready for us to race on next week.”
Supercars veteran Tim Slade also acknowledged the massive undertaking of preparing the track for The Great Race.
“I’m used to turning up on race week and seeing it pristine, so to see the effort from the Central West Linemarking crew and the Bathurst City Council overall is really impressive,” Mr Slade said.
“The Bathurst 1000 is a showpiece in Australian sport. To see the crew take such enormous pride in ensuring the track is presented in the best possible way is a credit to their skills and professionalism.
“I have a new appreciation in what it takes to mark out Mount Panorama, but beyond this, the work that goes into marking roads across the country.”
For Central West Linemarking’s Adam Walker, the opportunity to have the Supercars drivers join the crew was a thrill for all involved.
“It was great to have both James and Tim join the crew and get their feedback on the circuit and how important the track markings are during the race,” Mr Walker said.
“We might not lap the circuit at the same speed as the Supercars stars, but we need to be incredibly accurate with the marking, as going outside the circuit limits can quickly see things come undone.
“Our company works everywhere west of the Blue Mountains and out to Broken Hill and up to the Queensland border, but I must admit this is a very special piece of road for us!”
