As a motor racing journalist for more than 40 years, John Smailes has had extraordinary access to Mount Panorama and to the leading motor racing names who competed there, both past and present.
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When Jack Brabham celebrated his three world championships, when the Bathurst 1000 was born, when motorcycle greats Mick Doohan, Wayne Gardner, Warren Willing and Gregg Hansford tested themselves, Smailes was there.
So it seems appropriate to ask Smailes about his thoughts on how the Bathurst 12 Hours has grown in recent years.
"Exponentially," he put it plainly.
"Stephane Ratel, who runs Stephane Retal Organisation - which is the body who puts this whole thing together - is an absolute genius. He woke up to the fact that there is a massive opportunity in GT cars.
"He's put the concept of Intercontinental GT Challenge and it's brought together nine brands that have actually signed up to contest the entire series.
"It continues to grow. Other series struggle, but this one, Ratel has just picked the formula perfectly.
"It's also just wonderful to see the likes of the Lamborghini, Bentley and Ferrari here."
Smailes said the 12 Hour will take a long time to match the popularity and appeal of the Bathurst 1000, saying it may actually never reach the level of the country's most famous race.
"It's got a long way to go, at least to have the general public understand what GT racing is all about. The Bathurst 1000 is just so historic and iconic," he said.
"[The Bathurst 1000 is] as important in Australian racing as the Melbourne Cup and the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. You might not be a motor sport fan, a horse racing fan or yacht fan, but those are the three races that stop the races. That's why Bathurst 1000, in my view, will remain untouchable."
The 12 Hour was first held in 1991, before a break between 1996-2006, returning in 2007.
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