THE need for speed certainly wasn’t on the agenda for Governor-General Quentin Bryce when she got to see first-hand what it’s like to do a lap around Mount Panorama yesterday.
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Ms Bryce was right at home in the passenger seat of the George Reed Special being driven by Norm Rutherford from Bathurst Regional Council.
The car is a replica of the original built by Bath-urst’s George Reed and raced to victory by Warwick Pratley in the Australian Grand Prix in 1951.
While the Governor-General’s lap of the iconic circuit wouldn’t have broken any records, it did give the high-ranking diplomat some idea of the track’s topography.
The joy ride was just one of many official engagements for the Governor-General during her day-long stopover in Bathurst.
According to Mr Rutherford, it was a special day he’ll always remember and cherish.
“The Governor-General looked just amazing dressed in red,” he said.
“It toned in beautifully with the car. And she took my advice and brought along a scarf because it was quite cool and windy on the track.”
Mr Rutherford said the Governor-General had a ball on her lap of the Mount.
“She really enjoyed it once we got onto the Skyline because it was a clear day and the view to the Blue Mountains was majestic,” he said.
“We spoke about vintage cars and the fact they have a lot of car club events on the lawns of Parliament House which she likes to watch.
“And the fact the track’s so steep coming up through The Cutting was noted by the Governor-General. You don’t really understand how steep it is watching it on the television.”
Mr Rutherford also took the Governor-General’s husband Michael on a lap of Mount Panorama in the George Reed Special.
“He had never been to Bathurst before and, like his wife, was surprised by the steep climb to The Skyline,” he said. “I stayed right on the 60km/h speed limit for the Governor-General, but I might have just gone a bit quicker with Mr Bryce.”
As for the experience, Mr Rutherford said it was a day to remember.
“She’s just a lovely lady,” he said. “Very easy to talk to.”