Bathurst Wednesday Update

MOUNT PANORAMA NEWS BREAKS

Three time Formula One World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham, has been announced as the official safety car driver for this weekend's Century Batteries 3-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown.

Sir Jack will lead the parade lap and be called into action should any on-track dramas necessitate the use of the safety car during the three-hour event.

He will drive the Brabham-Honda NSX prototype developed by Ross Palmer Motorsport. The prototype machine features an enhanced styling package, improved brakes and is powered by a 500 horsepower supercharged version of the 3.5 litre Honda engine.

Thomas Mezera is the latest high profile driver to add his name to the list of stars competing in the Century Batteries 3-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown this weekend.

Mezera has joined forces with Mazda RX7 SP driver Terry Bosnjak for the Saturday assault on the mountain.

The pair should be a formidable combination with the Bathurst winning pedigree of the Mazda rotary machine sure to add spice to proceedings.

Queensland rising star Wayne Wakefield will put his renowned car control talents on display at Mount Panorama.

Wakefield has been signed by John Trimbole to share his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III in the Century Batteries 3-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown on Saturday.

The young charger made a name for himself with startling performances aboard a Mazda 808 Wagon club car and really began to turn heads this year with a number of stunning drives in Commodore Cup.

Another star of the future to watch over the course of the weekend will be Mark Brame who will share 1998 Champion Chris Kousparis' Subaru Impreza WRX in Class B.

Brame was virtually unbeatable in the Bathurst 12-hour events aboard a Suzuki Swift but a lack of budget has seen him consigned to the sidelines in recent years.

After stepping aboard the WRX in a test session leading up to Bathurst, Brame took only a handful of laps before setting a stunning pace which would nearly have put him on pole position for the corresponding Oran Park championship round.

Bathurst race fans will get the opportunity to meet of the stars of the Century Batteries 3-Hour Showroom Showdown at the GTP Showroom Star Showcase this Friday evening at the Bathurst RSL.

In a unique first, a media conference featuring more than 30 drivers will be held on the night with members of the public able to ask questions of the mountain combatants. The event kicks off at 7.30pm on Friday, Nobember 13.

Paul Ryan, (0419) 295 285 paulryan@camtech.net.au