ford man: Phil Clack has a room in his house dedicated to all things to do with the Ford and will be watching Bathurst this weekend. PICTURE: LACHLAN BENCE
BLUE or RED? This is the political debate that has Australians fired up, passionately declaring their loyalty, and ultimately divides the nation.
This political debate is not centred on any parliament.
This is politics on the track.
Are you a Ford or Holden fan? Saying you are in one camp and buying a car from the other can leave you open to some jest.
But there comes a time every Australian must choose and that time is now - the Bathurst 1000, when V8 Supercars rev up the nation at Mount Panorama.
Holden fan Greg Compton said there was just something special about this rivalry, which dates back decades.
“You’re either in the red camp or in the blue camp and it’s good to be in the red camp,” Ballarat’s Mr Compton said.
“I grew up always Holden and I drive a V8 Holden Commodore SS.
“I’ll be watching the race on Sunday with good Holden friends around a barbecue.”
Firing up the barbecue or being on-site is how Mr Compton recommends watching the feature event on Sunday.
But the trackside was best.
Mr Compton has a spot on Mountain Straight, literally inside of the track and near the pits. Unable to get there this year, he loaned his vantage point to a friend.
“The atmosphere is fantastic...I actually think the TV doesn’t do the whole thing justice,” Mr Compton said.
“The track is a lot steeper than it actually looks, and there’s always characters about.”
Ford man Phil Clack has watched more than 30 years of Bathurst showdowns. He has never been to the Australian V8 mecca.
“Friends say they can’t believe I’ve never gone but in all honesty, I’ve never felt like I must be there,” Mr Clack said.“I love going out to my shed every year and watching the race - but I might go one day,” Mr Clack said.
Mr Clack’s shed is pretty impressive - a Ford dominated man-cave. When The Courier visited yesterday, Mr Clack had just finished watching the qualifiers beamed live into his shed from Mount Panorama.
“Ever since I remember I’ve been a Ford person,” he said.
“I have owned a couple of Holdens in the past, they were Holden EHs which were probably the best Holdens made.
“But I love the Blue Oval.”
Mr Clack will watch on Sunday deep in the red camp.
His brother-in-law and nephews are all Holden enthusiasts.
They will pick him up well before 7am on Sunday morning and drive him to their home in Ross Creek, start with a bacon-and-egg breakfast, then kick-back and watch the drama unfold.
Mr Clack said it was all good fun, even as the only blue man in a sea of red.“If we’re in front things are a little tense but if we get behind, then I’ll go quiet,” Mr Clack said.
So, which driver will claim the coveted prize?
Holden has won 10 of the past 13 races, including the past three years.
In the red corner, Mr Compton hoped to see Garth Tander do well: “the deck of cards has been stacked against him”.
In the blue corner, Mr Clack was not keen to say. His past favourites - Marcus Ambrose, Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom - had all left the blue.
“I don’t really care who wins,” Mr Clack said.
“As long as it’s the Blue Oval.”
