In 1998 the Australian Touring Car Championship was run with the Australian Superbike Championship as part of a tie up with the series sponsor Shell.
I drove in HQ Holden support races at the WInton round. It was a typical Mick Ronke/Winton effort. The track had been extended the year before and they had filled a lot of verges with rocks and dirt. The track surface was in dreadful condition with rocks all over the track after each Touring car race.
The flaggies wanted to sweep the worst of the debris of the track after each race but Ronke overruled them and ordered the next race to start.
There was a crash in the first bike race which caused the race to get red flagged and reduced in length (can't keep Mick waiting). The second bike race the rider did their warm up lap and refused to race and went home.
It was one of the few meetings I did in a tin top with my visor shut, because there was that much crap flying around.
The next year was when Touring Cars became Supercars.
V8 Stupidcars and before the track is an indication of where to go.. Only an indication! The end of GpA a certain Nissan Patrol driver was using the dirt as a turn in point every lap.And it was not the one with a nose,, or as much!
I have never had any hassles racing at Winton though and have been there on a Touring Car Round more than once. Mallala and trucks the track was well lubed, Mallala and GpA / Stupdcars the track was well gravelled.
I have been to a couple of bigger stae level; bike events, modern and historics and the track was well lubed also. British bikes like Jaguars mark their trail!
Racing against The Trenowth Jag at Mallala, AGP, Sandown it was a 12 cyl oil spreader. Luckily I managed to pass it and move forward. It was quite thick oil as well. Hard to wash off.
