MOFFAT RETURNS TO MOUNT PANORAMA THIS WEEKEND

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Debuting at Bathurst is intimidating enough for any race driver, but when your family name is synonymous with success at
Mount Panorama, the task is made even more daunting.
James Moffat (Bob Jane T-Marts/Trueline), whose father Allan scored four victories, two pole positions and one runner-up at
Bathurst in his 25 year motorsport career, will compete at the famous Mount Panorama for the first when he takes to the track
in Carrera Cup Australia in this weekend's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
‘I think I've watched every 1000 race since I was about two or three but it's my first time racing there so it's a bit of a dream
come true and an absolute thrill,’ Moffat said.
‘Obviously there is a fair bit of family history at the place given dad's record there. Because of that this track means a bit more
to me than any other track because I know how much effort dad put in to racing at Bathurst.’
Moffat has been outstanding in his first season in Carrera Cup Australia, claiming eight race and two round podiums on his way
to leading the Michelin Rookie of the Year table and seventh overall in the Championship.
At the last round at Phillip Island he scored two thirds, and was running second in Race Three before he was forced to pit with a
mechanical black flag.
‘Phillip Island was pretty shattering because heading into the weekend I was confident of a win,’ he said.
‘We had a few dramas on the Friday but our races on Saturday were good and we had the quickest car in Race Three, so the
drive-through was pretty shattering for the whole team.
‘Since Perth I've been reasonably happy with how I progressed because I have shown some genuine speed. Up to that point I
was struggling a little bit but since then I've been able to get as much as possible out of the car and myself and come away with
some good results.’
But Bathurst has been marked on the calendar all season and it is the one track he desperately wants to do well at.
And he knows it won't be easy, even with some words of advice from his dad.
‘With only the one practice session it's going to be a steep learning curve for me but it's going to be a blast,’ he said.
‘I've been speaking to dad a fair bit and he's been offering me a few ideas on how to approach certain corners and a bit of
general advice about the place so that has been pretty helpful.
‘This is one track where experience is vital so being able to tap into his experiences will definitely be beneficial.’
One driver with plenty of experience at Bathurst is current Carrera Cup Championship leader Craig Baird (ACER/Leading
Solutions).
Baird will race for the Holden Racing Tem in the Bathurst 1000 as well as compete in Carrera Cup and with him just needing to
finish in the top six in Race One to claim the Championship, it could be a celebratory weekend for the Gold Coast based Kiwi.

If Baird is to wrap up the Championship he will become the first ever two-time Carrera Cup Australia Champion and a round win
will also see him overtake Alex Davison as the greatest round winner in CCA history.
‘Even though I'm in such a good position Championship wise it's situation normal for me at Bathurst,’ Baird said.
‘Any driver who goes to Bathurst is all geared up for a massive weekend because of the history of the place so it's important
not to relax too much. I always try enjoy this event but I'll also be trying just as hard to win’
Dean Fiore (Complispace/Advance Energy) is the only driver with a chance to catch Baird, albeit a very slim one.
And while Fiore isn't seriously contemplating overhauling Baird ˜ he would need to win ever one of the six remaining races and
hope Baird DNF in at least three and finish outside the top 10 in the remaining three ˜ he is still hopeful of a strong end to the
season.
‘I'm not thinking about the Championship at all,’ he said.
‘Bairdo is so far in front that something drastic will have to happen for me to be a chance to overtake him so I'm just
concentrating on doing the best I can on the weekend.
‘I had a poor run there last year and not just because I had a massive crash in Race Two, which nearly wrote the car off. On the
Friday I had good pace and got some good results but that crash on the Saturday really ruined the weekend, so I'll be looking to
put last year behind me and give it heaps.’
While the Championship is practically wrapped up, the Pilatus Challenge, which is a championship-within-a-championship for nonprofessional
drivers over the age of 30, is far from being settled.
James Koundouris (Supabarn Supermarkets) overtook Peter Hill (Boost/Globe) at the top of the ladder at the last round at Phillip
Island, but his lead is a slender one of only six points.
Hill, who will make his 100th Carrera Cup race start at the weekend, lead the Challenge since Round Four and will be intent on
reclaiming the crown at Bathurst.
Carrera Cup Australia begins the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with practice and qualifying on Thursday, before Race One on
Friday.
Race Two will be held on Saturday and broadcast nationwide on Network Seven from 1.15pm (AEDST), while Race Three will
screen live on Seven at 8.40am (AEDST). Check local guides.