Well, that’s a wrap on another huge season on the Supercars calendar and one mighty year. So I’ll start from the top and recap some of my personal highlights from 2022.
We kicked the year off in February at the Bathurst 12 Hour, in the Prostate Cancer Foundation entry under Scott Taylor Motorsport. Running in a Porsche Cup Car, we were proud to take our class win. But equally as proud to raise over $67,000 for the charity along the way. Thank you to every one that gave generously, whether by direct donation or taking part in our “sign the car” initiative. Where you could personally say that you were with me racing around Mount Panorama for an important cause. It was a special win.
Come the first week in March, I was back behind the microphone with the Supercars Commentary Team at Sydney Motorsport Park. The Supercars season as a whole this year saw great racing, but the clear dominance from my friend SVG (Shane van Gisbergen) is one of the most dominant Championship wins I have witnessed. Thoroughly deserved.
October is always my favourite time of year – the Bathurst 1000. This year in the Supercheap Auto backed Triple Eight Race Engineering wild card entry. My team mate was Declan Fraser, a bright up and coming racer competing (and ultimately winning, well done mate!) the Super2 Championship. In the lead up, it rained all week which makes it a challenge to get a read on the car knowing that the race on Sunday would be dry.
While we didn’t have the ultimate pace to challenge for a podium, we had a cracking race. Finishing 8th to be the highest placed wildcard ever.
Bathurst also saw my 600th race round start. The most in Australian Touring Cars/Supercars history. It was a special moment for me.
Closing the season out, it was definitely a 2022 highlight to see Supercars return to the streets of Adelaide for the 500. It is one of my favourite events on the calendar and one of my most memorable Supercars victories. It was 1999, I had won the race on Saturday but after a contentious penalty I was sent to the back of the grid for the race on Sunday. Street circuits are notorious for being difficult to pass, but I carved through the field to take the win.
This year was a bumper crowd and the atmosphere was huge – it very much took me back to that win.
By far the highlight of my 2022 – being inducted into the Supercars Hall of Fame at the Gala Awards. It is one of my proudest moments in my career. I’ve always said that the fans are the backbone of our sport and a reason why I’ve pulled my helmet and been part of it for so long. I look forward to doing it for many years to come.
Looking forward, as recently announced we will again be running our Prostate Cancer Foundation entry at the Bathurst 12 Hour in February. This year in the highly competitive Pro-Am class in an AMG Mercedes GT3 entry. I can’t wait. Next year is by far one of the most competitive fields ever, with the return to a true international event. We will again be throwing our support behind the #GetChecked message and raising as much funds and awareness as possible, so if you are at the track please come down to our garage and say hi!
But for now it’s time to put my feet up and have a break. Sharing time with family and friends, enjoying the festive season and reflect on a great year.
Many of us will be out on the roads in the coming weeks, so please remember to look after each other. Be courteous, give people a wave if they let you in and above all – please drive safely.
If you have any questions, your friendly Tyrepower store is always happy to help.
All the very best to you and family for a happy festive season, see you in 2023.
Keep smiling
CL
