Sun, 29th Mar, 2015 Malcolm & Kerry’s farm, Westbury (V8 Supercars at Symmons Plains)

Warmer morning, 11 degrees at 7am. Put more layers on as they said it might rain and the wind has come up a lot. It is sunny though there is a low band of cloud hanging on the mountains. Steve can’t find his ‘Official’ Bathurst coat so lucky we had the old ones. He was sure he put it in the truck!!

Dropped off our chairs at the hairpin again then headed to the Pits for the True Colour Track Walk. The drivers and cars are lined up on the track and we can just wander in and chat with them etc. They did it at Phillip Island too and it was great. Certainly is popular.

Looking over the middle of the track where the Mustangs were on display.

Zoomed in on the hairpin – our chairs are against the fence under the red thing on the right.

Stuck my head in for a photo of the cars all lined up.

The car Marcus Ambrose was driving for DJS Penske Racing but he pulled out which was a shame especially as he is Tasmanian but he was here to see the fans.

Scotty was outside the fence enjoying having his photo taken with fans.

The big screen with a shot of us on the track.

Looking back up the track – the cars come from there and head down past the pits.

Looking over the pits.

We chatted with Will Davison about his door flying open at Longford and then the bad luck he had being turned around by Courtney yesterday. They put in a protest but the ruling ‘racing incident’ stayed. The local TV commentators came for a chat so we stayed and made it on the TV.

Track was filling up.

Steve went over the James Moffat to tell him Erica had her photo with his dad, Alan yesterday.

Then they called him over for an interview before I could get a photo.

Our selfie on the track.

My favourites - David Reynolds, Mark Winterbottom, Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup.

Looking back over the track and the cars.

Looking down Pit Lane.

Down behind the pits – we didn’t get a paddock pass to wander around the back of the pits – have done that enough.

Wandered back out past the kids’ fun section. Steve check out the Formula SAE frameworks.

Looking over the first corner.

Steve thought this VW was trick. They were cooking the sausages on the back.

The Aussie Race Cars came out with a reverse grid and the lady was first but not for long!!

V8s came out for a practice session – Jamie and Tim Slade went off in the hairpin as the wind was pushing them down the road.

Later was qualifying - Craig Lowndes got pole again. If he can win it too he will have won 100 races in his career.

Matt Hall entertained us again with his aerobatics in the plane. Then this guy turned up with his little plane. It was very windy now so hope he doesn’t crash.

In the Aussie Race cars the blue car had a dent front and every time we went around the hairpin his door flew open but he kept going another 3 laps to the end.

The dark clouds are starting to roll in.

Steve wanted me to take a photo of this Malloo ute for Jon.

Enjoyed the racing of the other classes. The V8s started and poor Reynolds took the lead but got turned around by Lowndes in the first corner. Then they all head into the hairpin together – luckily no more crashes.

Poor Will Davison got caught up the Reynolds crash and his car was had it.

It is great having the big screen beside us.

They had two pit stops for fuel and tyres and there were no safety cars.  Jamie Whincup won and now he is in the lead again for the Championship.

Lots of people packed up but there was still another Touring Car Masters race. Formula Vees came out and did a demonstration drive. The sky was getting darker so we packed up the chairs and headed up the straight to watch the last race. Drops of rain started to fall as we headed back to the farm.

Couldn’t find Steve’s coat in the van so somehow he must have lost it at the track – what a shame and he had his favourite beanie in it too.

I did some washing and we got a few things organised to leave on Tuesday. Ian texted to find out what happened to Lowndes so we rang him back. Lou rang for a chat too which was great. No one is too impressed with Channel 10 doing the V8 coverage now as there is only a few races shown free to air, there rest are shown later and just the race (which we are watching again now). If you want to watch it live you need to subscribe to Foxtel.

Sat, 28th Mar, 2015 Malcolm & Kerry’s farm, Westbury (V8 Supercars at Symmons Plains)

Up at 7am to get ready to head off to Symmons Plains. 7 degrees again so on went a few layers of clothing, gloves and coat. Beautiful clear sky so it looks like it will be a good day.

Lots of cars already there. Found a park and went to buy our tickets. We were served by the lady who was in charge of the Ticketec scanners that we used at Bathurst. Said hello and that we will be at Bathurst again. Got our ‘Seniors’ discount of $20 so we are happy with that.

Dropped our chairs off on the straight down to the hairpin then went for a walk. The end of the straight up to the hairpin is where you can pay extra to park your car closer to the track. We watched some of the other cars do their qualifying. Steve said the hairpin corner was sharper and a lot more of a drop than it looks on TV. About a 10 foot drop from one side of the track to the other. Good view from there and you can see nearly all the rest of the track except Turn 1 and 2 but there is a big screen TV here. Got our chairs and set up beside the fence right at the hairpin corner. Texted the boys and Lou, Steve & Ian to rub it in that we were at the track.

The V8s came out for another practice.

Didn’t quite get me in the selfie.

Steve putting on his sunscreen as the sun burns badly even though we are freezing. We are under a speaker so we can hear everything too.

Touring Car Masters.

GT Sports.

Steve thought Wendy had a little Datsun sedan like this one.

Oops one into the kitty litter.

Qualifying for V8’s first race saw Shane Van Gisbergen run into the back of Ash Walsh – Giz got a 2 place starting grid penalty for that.

Craig Lowndes got pole for the first race.

Matt Hall entertained us with a fantastic aerial acrobatics in his plane. Pete Angus rang for a chat.

Next Qualifying session and Lowndes gets pole again.

Aussie Race cars in their first race.

The lady’s car that I sat in at Homebush a couple of years again.

One of the GT Sports cars pulled off the road with a problem but then the heat from his car caused a grass fire.

Plenty of room in the ‘park &view’ section.

Zoomed down to the ‘hill’ – will have a look from there tomorrow. There is a “True Colours” track walk tomorrow so we will check that end of the track out then.

Also a Mustang display in the middle of the track too.

The first V8 race gets ready to start – we watch it on the big screen.

All into the hairpin and James Courtney turns Will Davison around. James didn't get a penalty and Will was not happy.

Then Lee Holdsworth turns Todd Kelly around but he got going again. They gave Lee a drive through for that though.

Craig wins then Mark Winterbottom then James Courtney.

Touring Car Masters out again – oops one got stuck.

Steve was entertained by the antics of the tow truck crew trying to get the Touring Car Master car off the hairpin. They were having troubles trying to get it onto the track. The truck nearly got bogged in the kitty litter then the car driver got the car started and drove off!! Race was red flagged so the crews could go out and get rid of the dropped oil etc.

Next V8 race is on – took a video of a lap of the track.

Poor Heimgartner finds the kitty litter.

Tow truck gets him out and off he goes again. 

The hairpin was the best spot to sit as that was where all the action happened. Track temp 27 degrees, air temp 19 degrees but 47 degrees in their race cars’ cabins.

Craig lead and won the race again with Jamie Whincup then James Courtney in 2^nd & 3^rd. Texted the boys with the updates – they aren’t happy that you can only watch it on Foxtel or highlights later tonight on One.

The wind has come up and it is getting cold as we head back to the car. The long line of cars to get out onto the highway.  We turned off and went through Longford to get out of the traffic. Back to the van for dinner. Beautiful evening though it is getting darker earlier now.

A replay of the V8s was on One so watched it all again. Nearly saw us on TV!!!