SimRigs V8 Veterans // S29 // SPLIT 4 // RND 2 Bathurst 250km

Round 2 of the V8 Veterans Split 4 Season 29 Friday Night Chook Raffle takes us to one of the biggest tests on the calendar — Mount Panorama, Bathurst. After opening the season at Snetterton, the field now heads to the Mountain for a 41-lap, 250-kilometre race around the legendary 6.21-kilometre circuit. And this one comes with an extra twist, with dynamic conditions and a sunset finish expected to make an already demanding race even tougher. Round 1 gave us an early look at who has pace this season. Tony McLean of Unhinged Sim Sports opened the year with victory, while Shane P Patterson of WK&P SimSports finished just over four seconds behind after leading the most laps. Robert Williams of Player1 Race Team, Doug Wright, running as a Privateer, and Ben Heneker of Scrub King Sim Racing completed the top five, giving us plenty of names to watch as the season develops. Bathurst, though, is a completely different challenge. The climb up Mountain Straight, the narrow run across the top, Skyline, the Esses and the high-speed blast down Conrod Straight all punish mistakes. With 55 drivers on the Split 4 entry list, traffic management and patience could prove just as important as outright speed. As daylight fades and the circuit changes through the closing stages, drivers will need to adapt lap by lap. A strong qualifying position will help, but surviving 41 laps around the Mountain is never guaranteed. And because this is the Friday Night Chook Raffle, there is one simple rule tonight — don’t count your chickens before they’ve made it through the Esses. One wrong move across the top and the feathers could be flying very quickly. So settle in for 250 kilometres at one of motorsport’s greatest circuits. Welcome to Round 2 of the V8 Vets Split 4 Friday Night Chook Raffle — Bathurst under the setting sun. Let’s go racing!