Murphy Racing Teammates Matthew Nolan and Gerard McLeod took a drive to Mount Panorama today (Wednesday, 14th August) in anticipation of Round 6 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by ARMOR ALL to be held in conjunction with the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar weekend at Mount Panorama, 1013th October.
The Electrician (Nolan), first visited Bathurst as a 13year old representing Queensland in Hockey but this was his first look at the Mountain and he was blown away.
It was pretty amazing, daunting, it has some cool corners, I learnt a lot from Mr Gerard McLeod, I was only here in a yellow canary today so I had to go the speed limit but we got out to the track really early and were working on simulating qualifying.
Nolan who is currently suffering from a Knee injury is hoping with his hectic schedule coming up hell be able to hold up for his next Round at Sandown.
Im heading up to Queensland tonight for a ride day with about 150 people and then Im back at Winton Raceway on Friday for some testing. My knee is extremely sore, the next two days is a test for the knee, Im definitely struggling at the moment to walk but hopefully it will be all good, explained Nolan.
McLeod flew in from Melbourne, especially to help his Teammate out and although he drove Mount Panorama for the first time in a V8 Ute last year, he has driven around their plenty of times including in a commodore cup, Improved Production Car, Drive Bathurst Events and 5 Bathurst 12 Hour Events, one with Dad Peter who claimed the Bathurst 1000 James Hardie event in 1987 alongside Peter Brock and David Parsons.
Ive been coming here since I was 2years old, to watch Dad and this is one track I truly feel confident at, having raced here so many times. I wanted to give him (Nolan) the basics so he had more of an idea about the track, places where to pass and not to pass, theres places you can get yourself in a lot of trouble if you know not to go there its a bonus. It gives him (Nolan) two months now to go through data, and imagery, you can never have too many miles around Bathurst, said McLeod.
McLeod is especially looking forward to racing again at Sandown before the Bathurst round.
These long breaks arent good for anybody, its a shame, because I had my best round ever at Townsville racing in the top ten and I just want to continue that momentum going forward. Im pretty confident we should be at the pointy end of the field now, Ive made it from mid pack to top ten and I had really good rounds at Bathurst, Gold Coast and Homebush last year.
Nolan and McLeod will next hit the race track for Round 5 of the Auto One V8 Ute Racing Seriesprotected by ARMOR ALL at Sandown Raceway, 1215th September.
