John Whyte has emerged victorious at the Flying Fifth, with the event returning to Bathurst’s Conrod Straight for the first time in five years.
The annual sprint event had not been hosted by the Bathurst Light Car Club for half a decade, leaving a big hole in the club’s yearly calendar until this year.
Bathurst Light Car Club President Neville Ling said it was encouraging to feel the atmosphere was full of excitement.
“We could not have asked for a better day for the event. The weather was perfect and the competitors were very positive,” Ling reflected.
“It was great to see a huge field and a great range of vehicles. It’s been a few years since we’ve run this format but it’s great to see it back and being well patronised.
“The passion of our competitors is stronger than ever.”
The event itself directs participants to take a flying start, before negotiating a timed section of one fifth of a kilometre, 200 metres, at their fastest possible speed in the shortest possible time.
The outright winner on the day went to Bathurst local John Whyte in his HSV VE Clubsport R8.
“It’s supercharged, big cam, runs E85, about 700 horsepower, a bit over,” Whyte stated.
“It’s faster than what I thought it would be, but I always knew it was going to be good”
Whyte managed to complete the challenge in 2.98 seconds at an average speed of 248.28 kmph to win the event outright.
Closely behind Whyte, was Len Manvell who clocked a time of 3.01 seconds with an average speed of 2.39.20 kmph in his Holden VE SS Ute, and Mark Eshman in his Chevrolet Camaro reaching a time of 3.21 seconds and an average speed of 224.30 kmph.
“Overall, it was a very successful day and a very successful event for the club” Ling added.
The major events are not completely over for the Bathurst Light Car Club in 2025 either.The club will host its ‘The Speed Weekend’, slated to run over 1-2 November. The weekend will involve a Supersprint event on the Saturday and the Mountain Straight Hillclimb on the Sunday.
To express the interest in becoming an official for the event, head to www.motorsport.org.au/officials/ or contact Ling directly on 0416 226 755.
