Promising race car driver Jobe Stewart fulfilled a lifetime dream to race around the world-renowned Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst last weekend.
The 16-year-old impressed competing in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series, which was a support category for the 2020 Bathurst 1000 won by Shane van Gisbergen and Garth Tander.
In his first experience racing in the championship and at the daunting location, Stewart kept his nose clean to steadily climb up the order.
He started 14th on the grid for the opening race and pulled off some fine moves to arrive at the chequered flag in 12th position.
The second race was a nail biter for Stewart, who was won a thrilling final lap battle with a last-corner overtake to snatch 11th place.
His steady improvement continued through the weekend and he broke into the top 10 by finishing 10th and ninth in the final two races respectively.
Stewart said his first experience of the mountain left him speechless. “It was nothing like I expected,” he said.
“When we started setting up on Wednesday we just went for a drive in dad’s road car around the track and it is not until you go there you realise how steep the elevation is.
“It is way different than the simulator at home because you do not feel the drops like you do in the car going around for the first time.
“The track sucks you into the ground, it is just crazy.”
With limited track time before racing began Stewart said he was a touch tentative initially, but loved the adrenaline rush racing hard around the unforgiving circuit.
“We only had two practice sessions, so I was not very confident before qualifying,” he said.
“But then I qualified 14th which was still alright and then I just chipped forward in each race.
“It was quite exciting racing around there and seeing how close you get to the walls and other cars.
“Rubbing panels at the top of the hill is pretty cool and it was great to finish in the top 10.”
With the four-race weekend being Stewart’s debut in the Toyota 86 series, he used the round as a learning experience and said the knowledge gained puts him on the front foot for the road ahead.
“It was great to have a one-off event at Bathurst for people like me just to learn how it all works,” he said.
“It has given me confidence and will definitely help when we go back racing next year.”
