Rain disrupts first Bathurst 1000 practice on Mount Panorama
The opening practice sessions for the Bathurst 1000 were unsettled by wet weather at Mount Panorama, forcing teams to weigh speed against safety as rain dampened the famous 6.2-kilometre circuit. In treacherous conditions, drivers juggled ambition with caution, and the track’s slippery surface quickly turned the day’s fastest times into a moving target.
Triple Eight leads the charge with an eye on the forecast
Supercars powerhouse Triple Eight Racing asserted their title credentials, sending their number-one entry into the spotlight. Co-driver Scott Pye, sharing the wheel with defending champion Will Brown, topped the co-drivers’ practice session and logged a 2:06.839 in heavy rain. Several teams opted to keep cars in the garage as conditions worsened, underscoring the day’s risk-reward calculus. Pye acknowledged the need for a conservative approach in the rain-soaked lanes of Mount Panorama, recognizing that the race demands reliability and pace once the weather improves.
Weather, tires and strategy at Mount Panorama
Rain on slick tyres introduced an immediate challenge for drivers. Pye described the surface as “ice” when drizzle hits the tyres, a sentiment echoed by many who have learned the hard way that Mount Panorama bites back when conditions are ambiguous. The team’s early pace suggested strong potential for the weekend, but everyone understands that the race weekend involves more than a single fast lap—it’s about sustaining speed, managing tyre wear, and avoiding incidents when the track slicks out at the most inconvenient moments.
Notable incidents and cautionary tales
Thursday’s session was marked by several moments of drama as wet conditions caught some drivers out. Two-time Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert was among those who crashed in wet and wild conditions, while co-drivers Cam McLeod and Harry Jones also faced the consequences of reduced grip. The crashes served as a stark reminder that even seasoned racers can misjudge traction on a rain-dented Mount Panorama surface.
Looking ahead to Friday and the weekend race
With forecasters predicting a shift to drier conditions for Friday’s two practice sessions, teams will be recalibrating their setups for both rain and sun. The race weekend schedule includes qualifying at 4:10pm AEDT, a critical session where teams will translate practice pace into competitive laps under pressure. Pye remained confident in the car’s pace, noting that while the weather could swing back to wet later in the weekend, the package in the garage looked competitive from the outset.
What this means for the Bathurst 1000 showdown
The Bathurst 1000 is renowned for its unforgiving surface and rapidly changing weather. The first practice under wet conditions has reinforced the reality that data gathered in the rain is as valuable as it is volatile. For Triple Eight, the combination of a fast car and cautious driving on Day 1 could set the tone for the rest of the weekend, especially if the forecast remains unsettled.
As drivers adapt to Mount Panorama’s unique blend of long straights, tight corners and variable weather, the focus will shift from single-lap speed to racecraft and reliability. The path to Bathurst’s trophy requires both. The next sessions promise to refine strategies, with Friday’s dry forecast opening the door to more aggressive runs, followed by the mounting pressure of qualifying and the 161-lap endurance test on Sunday.
