TEN-four, good buddy. We got a big ol’ convoy and we rocked all through the day and night to arrive at Mt Panorama today in plenty of time for the 2013 Bathurst 1000.
It feels like it’s taken an eternity to arrive at this sacred track but in reality, it was only a three hour drive from Sydney the whole time…
With J-Dub, Cappy, Luffy, the CEO and a whole slew of the Red Bull family in tow, the 30-car Red Bull Racing Australia convoy assembled at Eastern Creek well before the dawn this morning and made a bee-line for the Blue Mountains in time to track down Wazza and the Red Bull Racing Australia transporter for the final descent into Bathurst.
And with a police escort leading the way, drivers, crew and cargo arrived safely to a raucous welcome from the V8 Supercars faithful who have already gathered on the mountain – six days out from race day.
To say the Bathurst air raised a few hairs on the back of Lowdnesy’s neck is an understatement of Mt Panorama proportions.
“It’s just great to be back – I love it up here and get a chill just being here,” Lowndesy says.
“And what a great way to do it, with a convoy and all the fans. It’s a great way to start the week. It’s the best week of the year if you ask me.”
This week’s race marks Lowndesy’s 20th Bathurst appearance and 500th race start in V8 Supercars. Add in to the mix he has a brand new engine and is well and truly in the championship fight, and the 2013 Peter Brock Trophy couldn’t possibly hold any more significance for the 39-year-old.
“Experience does count when you come into a race like this but I’m starting to feel a bit old with those stats,” Lowndesy says with a laugh.
“Looking back over the 20 years we’ve had some great runs but we’ve had some bad ones, too. It’s one of those tracks where luck and reliability hold a lot of sway.
“Warren Luff and I are obviously very excited after Sandown. We had a one-two for Red Bull there and coming to this place, we come with a lot of high hopes.”
Lowndesy is shooting for his sixth Bathurst win while team-mate J-Dub is shooting for back-to-back victories at the mountain with Paul Dumbrell.
Another win will see J-Dub equal his team-mate’s Bathurst record. So don’t let his mullet and relaxed, 1980s exterior fool you – J-Dub and co-driver Paul “the CEO” Dumbrell are in Bathurst for business.
“We’re not putting too much pressure on ourselves, we’re just going to take things as they come and focus on what we can control,” J-Dub says.
“Lowndesy is a bit of a legend up here so we’re happy for him to be favourite but both the Red Bull cars are coming along great and hopefully it’ll be a good weekend for us.
“I’m just loving the relaxed start to the week, wearing a few tats and combing back the hair really,” he finished with a laugh.
With the convoy and cargo having arrived safely, the team will unpack overnight and take to the 6.2km track by foot tomorrow for the track walk ahead of Thursday’s opening practice.