DAVID Reynolds provided the controversy that seems to feature at every Bathurst 1000 – now it’s up to the rest of the field to provide the thrills.
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Reynolds has been rightly criticised for an off-the-cuff comment at Thursday’s post-practice press conference where he referred to the vehicle driven by all-female team of Renee Gracie and Simona De Silvestro as the “p***y wagon”.
The remark was offensive, degrading, condescending and completely unnecessary.
Reynolds probably meant no harm but he should have known better in the lead-up to the biggest race on the V8 Supercars calendar.
Had he muttered those words before any other race, just a handful of motoring journalists would have been on hand to file the story.
It is a much different story at Bathurst, though.
Still, Thursday’s gaffe will be quickly forgotten once preparations for tomorrow’s Great Race hit top gear this afternoon.
Early indications suggest tomorrow’s race could be one of the quickest yet – providing the track holds up – and Jamie Whincup’s sizzling 2 minute 4.90 second lap yesterday may not be the last record to tumble.
Elsewhere in town, Bathurst is now in the full grip of Race Week.
Even allowing for the thousands camped up on the Mount, the CBD has been noticeably busier – particularly the supermarkets.
Pubs and restaurants are also reporting good business so far and accommodation is as tight as usual for this time of year, again highlighting the incredible asset we have in Mount Panorama.
Of all the cities across regional Australia, only Tamworth with its annual Country Music Festival can boast anything rivalling the Bathurst 1000 for national recognition and economic benefit.
We must never become complacent about our Great Race and the contribution it makes to our city.