Fans may wander the Repco Supercars Championship paddock now and admire the professionalism of the teams, but there was a time when the every day driver was able to join the likes of the once mighty Holden Racing Team.
A documentary titled ‘In The Pits’ showcased the touring car battlers and how just making it to the Supercars grid was an achievement.
Filmed during the 1999 V8 Supercars season, ‘In The Pits’ also highlighted the growing professionalism of the championship at a time when AVESCO under the stewardship of Tony Cochrane was on the rise.
Also documented was legend Larry Perkins as the film covered his push for safer conditions, fights with officialdom, how he turned his team into a business and his no nonsense attitude.
The film also includes one of Perkins’ most famous quotes, “young bloke, cold tyres, f*cked up”.
The privateers covered include current racer Chris Smerdon, Melinda Price as part of the UltraTune team and Richard Mork, whose knock about, have a go persona is to be admired.
Price had just left the Castrol Cougars program and was building respect as the only female in a male dominated (this continues to be the case) sport.
It is a rare behind the scenes view of how Supercars ran back in the day and what it used to be like with privateers bolstering the grid at the turn of millennium.
Check it out below.