Channel 9 Camaro to come around the Mountain
The limelight might be firmly on the GT cars at the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour, but an old favourite will also be turning heads in the supports.
Featuring in the Combined Sedans supports category will be a striking Chevrolet Camaro, wearing the same iconic colours Kevin Bartlett used to drive (and roll) around Bathurst with.
The car owned by former Bathurst 1000 racer John Lord, is a Trans Am Camaro paying tribute to Bartlett’s famous Channel 9 Camaro he raced with in 1980, 1981 and famously 1982.
Bartlett drove instantly into Bathurst folklore in 1982, when his hopes were dashed after famously flipping upside down onto his roof at Reid Park.
Kevin Bartlett drives the original Channel 9 Camaro through the Dipper. Photo: Autopics
Driving in the modern-day Channel 9 Camaro will be Peter Dane and it will be a big weekend for the car, which has not raced competitively since 2018, but has done some laps at Sydney Motorsport Park recently.
While it may not be Bartlett’s old Camaro, Lord said it will still be a sight to see, giving onlookers a taste of Bathurst and the American Trans-Am series of the 1970’s and 1980’s.
“It is not the actual car, but it is the genuine article – it is not just a mock up,” he told AUTO ACTION.
“It is a Trans Am car that we ran in the Queensland Trans Am Series which is based on recreating the original American Trans Am series with cars from 1965 to 1978.
John Lord’s Channel 9 Camaro racing under lights at Sydney Motorsport Park.
“But we have not run that for some years now because we brought the car from Queensland to Sydney. This will be its first serious outing for 18 months or so.
“We spent a lot of time last year getting it up to scratch, having redone all the suspension and gearbox and alignment of wheels and tyres, so it is in the best condition it has ever been.”
With the car being near-identical to the old Channel 9 Camaro, Lord said he has even often been mistaken for Bartlett. But said it is always a thrill to hear his car bring back happy memories from the 1980’s.
Kevin Bartlett (left) with John Lord (centre) alongside the latter’s Channel 9 Camaro.
“People of the era who saw the original car are always coming up to me saying ‘gday Kev’. I do look a bit similar to him actually!” Lord said.
“We are always thrilled when people come to see us and say that sort of thing because it is a car of the era.
“Kevin has signed the Nine logo on the bonnet, so I reckon the bonnet is worth more than the car!
“It will be its first time at Bathurst, so we are really looking forward to it. I won’t say we will be competitive, but it will not go unnoticed.”
The Channel 9 Camaro clone will be in action in the Combined Sedans category supporting the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour on February 3-5.
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