TORANA-driving, model-making Barry Gavin has almost completed a project he has wanted to do for years, making a working slot-car track of the Mount Panorama circuit.
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The Cootamundra resident has done his best to re-create the 1978-79 era of the track, which was when the "greatest wins of all" were recorded by legendary race car driver Peter Brock.
The model is mounted on one and a half table tennis tables and features most of the track, including the climb up to McPhillamy Park.
"My track is based on the '78 and '79 track, which was when Conrod was just straight, it didn't have the Caltex Chase," Mr Gavin said, adding that if he included the Chase it would have made the track too big for the supporting tables.
He has received a little help along the way to make the model, including from his local men's shed and from a man in England, who custom-made the miniature fences to the size he needed.
Margaret from the Cootamundra Antique Motor Club has also been a big help.
"She's been giving me advice on how to make the topography and now the slot track is about 90 per cent finished," Mr Gavin said.
Looking around the model, there are plenty of other features people will recognise.
There is the pit building, which is almost complete, as well as the iconic Mount Panorama sign and a few caravans in the paddock that would be owned by race fans.
Mr Gavin is not a fan of the modern Supercars racing, but has a love for older cars and heritage car racing.
He has several older model cars that can be driven around the replica Mount Panorama track he has built, including the Bobby Morris L34 Torana, Brock's L34 Torana and Allan Moffat's GT Falcon.
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Now that the model is almost complete, Mr Gavin is looking into ways he can make it available to kids in Cootamundra to use.
"I'd like to get an interest back into slot car racing, just to get kids away from their tablets and their phones," he said.
He is also searching for photos of the 1978 and 1979 Bathurst 1000s, to help inspire the scenery of his track, and has invited people who have any to get in contact with him on 0488 421 976.
