THE Bathurst Shootout Time Trials highlighted Wednesday night’s fixture at Gold Crown Paceway, the first of two meetings conducted during the world-famous Race Week at neighbouring Mount Panorama.
On the eve of the Bathurst 1000 “Great Race” the 10 fastest cars from practice individually complete a flying lap of The Mount to determine their grid positions in Sunday’s race.
Harness racing’s equivalent this week saw eight nominated pacers, up to M0 grade, time-trial over a flying 1200 metres, their times determining gate positions for Friday’s $12,000 final.
Izzy Watt, one of three to compete without the assistance of a galloping pacemaker, showed blistering speed for Mat Rue, completing quarters in 26.3, 27.6 and 27.2 seconds repectively for an equivalent mile-rate of 1:48.7, to earn the coveted pole for Friday’s feature race.
In doing so, he relegated Steve Turnbull’s Sabrage, the fastest of the first five triallists with a 1:50.9 mile rate, to gate two in the “dash for cash” come Friday.
Remaining runners in Friday’s final, in barrier order, are:
3. Bradness Eldefuego ( Steve Turnbull ) 1:51.4
4. Our Chittybangbang NZ ( Chris Frisby ) 1:51.4
5. Smack Dab Shannon ( McKayler Barnes ) 1:51.7
6. Switowski ( Mitch Turnbull ) 1:52.6
7. Kapow Shannon ( Amy Rees ) 1:53.7
8. Wrangler Duke ( Trent Rue ) 1:56.8
The large and enthusiastic crowd of car racing visitors who came down from the mountain to enjoy a different kind of horse power were totally familiar with the time-trial concept, and indicated that they’ll be returning to see the final act play out on Friday night.
It should be a fair-dinkum shootout, with no hostages taken.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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