One of the best thought-out set-ups on the mountain yesterday was F Troop’s camp, which had everything including the kitchen sink.

Around 20 people from Taree, Adelaide and Brisbane will converge on the camp, which went up on Saturday.

Numbers are a bit down this year – some years there are up to 30 F Troopers. 

The big tent complex takes up six camping spots – they have downsized from eight spaces – with an enormous marquee divided into sleeping quarters, a kitchen tent, and a carpeted living area complete with a big screen projector television and internet reception.

The F Troop team were originally three separate groups of campers that got on well. Over many years of race week camping, they became great mates.

In the beginning they had a cluster of army tents. Adrian “Gibbo” Gibbons said getting the tents up was always a comedy of errors and it didn’t take long for other campers to start calling them F Troop. 

They finally decided to pool their resources, contributing $200 each to create their luxury pad. 

Inside there is a wood fuel stove and water heater, a stove top and three barbecues, five fridges, several eskies and a dorm that sleeps up to 30 people on camp stretchers and in swags. Outside there is a bathroom set-up. 

Gibbo has been coming to the Bathurst 1000 every year since 1984 and Chris “Webbie” Webster has been making the trip to Bathurst since 1993. 

This year four of Gibbo’s sons, his brother, sister and sister-in-law will all be coming to Bathurst for the Great Race. 

“When I was getting married I said there were only two things in my life that were non-negotiable – my work and going to Bathurst. The rest was up for discussion,” Gibbo said.

Webbie arrived in Bathurst on Friday afternoon to scope things out and eight of the crew met early Saturday to set up the tent. 

“We love the racing and it is a great chance to catch up,” Webbie said. “Even if there was no racing I’d still probably come for the catch up.”