Just two weeks ago, Bruce Oaklands was living one of the great Australian dreams in racing around the iconic Mount Panorama; today, the 'Fat Stig' is back where it all began with the East Coast Bullbars Australian V8 Ute Racing Series hitting the streets of Surfers Paradise this weekend, 23-25 October 2015.
Making his V8 Ute Series debut at the same round last year, the Dural-based construction businessman is still buzzing from his clean weekend of racing in support of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, as he prepares to tackle the first track he gets to compete on for the second time.
"I've dreamed of racing on Bathurst since I was a kid, and it definitely didn't disappoint," said Oaklands, "yeah, it was a little emotional on that first full run down Conrod, and to come away from such an amazing track without a mark on the car and improving every session just topped it off".
"Every track I have been to in the last year I've had to learn as I go, at the same time as trying to learn how to race the Ute," said Oaklands, "I have improved so much since [last year] so it will be good to go to a track that I have raced at before. Bring it on".
Renowned for its tight, concrete-lined layout, keeping the Maxipak supported Oaklands Built FG Ford Ute damage free is expected to have an added degree of difficulty with showers predicted throughout the event.
"The heavens opened on our heads after the track walk, and, with storms predicted, it's just going to add to the usual chaos of the Gold Coast street circuit," said Oaklands, "last year I was able to get within about 5 seconds of the leaders, so hopefully it stays dry and I can cut that gap down, keep the car straight, and I won't get my hair wet".
The V8 Utes hit the streets of the Gold Coast for an action packed opening day tomorrow for practice at 8:25am, qualifying at 2:00pm and race one at 4:40pm, with one race on Saturday at 10:30am and the final race at 10:05am on Sunday. All sessions will be live on FoxSports5.
"It's a big day to start the weekend, being thrown in the deep end with three sessions, only one practice session and getting a race in by the end of the day, so we'll have to be on it right from the start, and can't afford any mistakes."
