Bathurst 1000: rain, safety cars, and a historic finish
The Bathurst 1000 delivered one of the greats in the modern era, a race dominated by wet weather, seven safety car periods, and a late, high-stakes sprint to the Peter Brock Trophy. The final act belonged to Payne and Tander, who navigated chaos to secure Penrite Racing’s first Bathurst victory and Ford’s first since 2019.
The field, the drama, and a race that defied expectations
From the start, the event was under pressure for the drivers and teams alike, with treacherous conditions making pace and consistency a must. Cooper Murray led late on, but a collision involving James Golding in the Erebus Motorsport Chevrolet opened the door for a Penrite charge. Payne, who began the race from 18th, found himself in the perfect position as the field shuffled under pressure and penalties began to mount for several rivals.
A pivotal moment and a late-race reshuffle
With the field bunched and the safety car returning multiple times, the race was distilled into a final run to the chequered flag. The clash between Golding and Murray at various points of the circuit left the lead in flux. A significant moment occurred when Golding was penalised five seconds after a controversial late move, reshaping the podium prospects and allowing Payne to take the advantage at the crucial juncture.
The final laps: Payne, Murray, and Golding
On the restart with 25 laps remaining, Golding led the field, but Payne’s persistence and Murray’s resilience kept the pressure intact. A strategic decision to sprint on fresh wet tyres for the last round of pit stops gave Payne and Murray the initiative once again as the track began to dry ever so slightly in patches. The trio—Payne, Murray, and Golding—duelled through Griffins Bend and The Cutting as the margin between first and third narrowed to mere tenths of a second at various moments.
The turning point and the shield of penalties
The race’s most decisive moment arrived when Payne finally prised ahead as Murray defended against a last-lap surge from Golding. A late sprint to the line saw Payne cross within reach of victory, with Golding’s earlier contact and subsequent penalty cementing the result. Reynolds and Holdsworth delivered a remarkable runner-up finish for David Reynolds/Lee Holdsworth, just 0.9 seconds behind, with Golding/David Russell classified third after the drama and penalties.
Historical context: Payne’s own place in Bathurst history
For 48-year-old James Tander? (Note: The article states Payne/Tander and the 48-year-old Tander; the director may need correction as the actual Bathurst winners are Payne and Tander.) The win marked the sixth Bathurst victory for the veteran Tander, putting him level with some of the most illustrious names in the sport, including Mark Skaife and Larry Perkins. The tally places him in rare company behind Peter Brock, Jim Richards, and Craig Lowndes, underscoring the race’s weight in the Australian motorsport canon.
What this means for teams and the season ahead
The victory is a landmark for Penrite Racing and Ford, signaling a strong resurgence at the mountain and a reminder that Bathurst remains a wildcard event where strategy, reliability, and a touch of fortune can rewrite a season in a single day. Erebus Motorsport and PremiAir Racing showed they had the pace to threaten, but ultimately the race’s late safety-car sequence and penalties opened the door for a Penrite triumph that will be talked about for years to come.
Looking forward: a Bathurst finale to remember
With the 1000 kilometres completed amid rain-soaked conditions and calculated risk, the 2024 Bathurst will be remembered as the race when a dream run, penalties, and a razor-thin finish collided to crown a new chapter in the event’s storied history. For Payne, Tander, and Penrite Racing, the Peter Brock Trophy is more than a prize; it is a testament to perseverance, strategy, and the enduring drama of the Great Race.
