Supercars racer James Golding recently swapped his PremiAir Racing Chevrolet Camaro for a seat aboard a Bathurst Regional Council Engineering Services Isuzu truck as track preparations took shape ahead of the upcoming Bathurst 1000 this weekend.
James joined Council worker Andrew Simmonds aboard an Isuzu FXY 240-350 6×4 as part of the landscaping preparations, including watering the grassed areas that sit beside the racetrack and the safety fencing around the 6.213 km Mount Panorama Circuit.
James is fast becoming a pre-race fixture in Bathurst after last year assisting with the track boundary marking with Central West Linemarking.
He will be joined by David Russell aboard the #31 Camaro as part of a two-car entry that also includes Richie Stanaway and Nash Morris in the #62 Chevrolet for the Great Race on Sunday October 12.
The chance to jump aboard the Bathurst Regional Council vehicle is an opportunity to get a different perspective to the high-speed ride he will have during race week.
“This gives me the opportunity to really appreciate the Mountain in a more relaxed way in the passenger’s seat aboard the Isuzu FXY,” said James.
“I can see a massive amount of work going into the entire precinct with the local Council, its workers, contractors and the wider community building up to the second Sunday in October.
“It still amazes me that this is a public road outside of race weekends with anyone able to drive it, of course at the very strict 60 km/h speed limit,” he laughed.
“I am excited for the Bathurst 1000 and I can say that I have again done my small part in getting the track ready for the race.”
Bathurst Regional Council maintains the track, the city and the surrounding region with a fleet of 36 Isuzu Trucks taking on roles that include road maintenance, sewer works and concreting, as well as being used by the parks and gardens crew for vegetation control, mowing and general maintenance.
Part of that operation is Andrew Simmonds, who was thrilled to share his ‘office’ with James ahead of the largest annual regional event in Australia.
“It’s been a great opportunity to have James along and help us out in this busy preparation period,” said Andrew.
“The track and its surrounds are maintained throughout the entire year, but we certainly step it up heading into the Bathurst 1000.
“Our entire Isuzu fleet of trucks will be deployed at some point at Mount Panorama, including the water truck that ensures the grassed areas are as green as possible and showcase Bathurst to the world.
“I don’t pretend to be a Supercars driver, but I have one piece of advice; stay off the grass on race day!”
2025 Repco Supercars Championship teams will arrive at the track from tomorrow Tuesday October 7 on Mount Panorama, with practice getting underway on Thursday October 9.
The 161-lap Bathurst 1000 starts at 11:45am, Sunday October 12.