I wish I could tell you of a good time at Bathurst, but my run of podiums came to a crashing halt...!

The weather was perfect everyday, a big change from last year as it was freezing cold and snow was in the near mountain ranges, but that's about as good as it got.

Things started off well, as the car was the best I have ever had there. For the first time, I had a machine that worked straightaway, and the times showed it. There have been so many times that I have been at Bathurst and the car just hasn't been connected, but the FPR Ford Falcon was, and it felt so good driving the wheels off it across the Mountain.

As the sessions went on, we were getting quicker and quicker and, just before qualifying, I had a run on fresh tyres to try my new-found confidence. My goal was to do a time in the 2min 08secs range - I had never done a low 2min 09secs before and it was time to get a monkey off my back. This sounds like I was slow round there, but not the case. My times have always been close to my team-mates', who drive these cars all the time, but this was personal, a quick lap time was a must. Thankfully, on my new tyre run, I put down a lap that shoved this personal monkey off my back, as I did a 2min 08.0secs lap and was fifth quickest overall. Phew, about time...!

With that under my belt, I was aiming to get into the top ten shoot-out. With my new-found confidence I was ready... but it wasn't to be, as I missed out on a top ten spot in qualifying, putting the Ford Credit car 14th on the grid. We made a small change to the car to make it quicker, but it just wasn't as good. I felt pretty gutted as we had the pace, but I just didn't get it together. This was rare for me, as qualifying is one of my strengths but, still, we knew we had a good car for the race and I was looking forward to a good run.

Before the start of the race, there was a moment of silence for the passing of Peter Brock. He was a true legend down here, and it was very emotional as a huge crowd paid tribute to their hero. I saw Bev, Peter's ex-wife, and gave her a big hug. Not much was said as, in moments like these, you don't need words. It was very moving and I find situations like these quite special. The oneness of everyone during these times is very powerful, and it is sad that people only get this oneness in bad times. Pete, you will be missed, mate!

Come race time, I made a crap start..... I am used to rolling starts, not standing ones, so I think I will make a recommendation for rolling starts for the series in future! The good news was that most people around me did the same, and I only lost one spot. Polesitter Mark Skaife did a clutch, and Jason Bright, in the other FPR car, got the lead. I settled down to a rhythm and started to make my move up the field as the cars around me weren't as fast as my 'beast'. Out of my way!

I got past the guy in front and was then right behind the next one. I went for a pass down the inside, but locked up a front and the tyre was a gonner. Coming into the pits for a new one wasn't too much of a drama as we were due to come in in four laps' time anyway. The plan was for me to get out and my team-mate, Matt Halliday, to do the next stint. He got in and it wasn't long before a safety car came out, so Matt was back in a strong position in eighth. Game on....

Matt was doing a great job, holding his own, and the car looked good on the track. Then there was drama with the other FPR car, as the engine let go, leaving the team's hopes down to car #5.

I was fired up and getting ready to jump in the car when I was told Matt was coming in. However, when I jumped in, the mechanic leaned in and turned the engine off. "What are you doing," I said. He calmly replied "engine", and I just sank in my seat as a good result drifted off like a cloud in the sky.

What I didn't know was that the engine had developed a misfire, and that, with Matt still at full throttle, it cleared all of a sudden, causing him to spin and hit the wall. Ten laps went by with the car in garage as the team tried to trace the problem and, when I got out again, it was to get the car to the finish, as the team wanted it out there for the sponsors.

Sadly, it wasn't to be as, on a re-start from a safety car period, I lost front grip and hit the wall. End of race....!

It was a bugger, as the team had such a good car for the race, the pit-stops were the quickest out there and there were no points for the regular drivers - and I missed my hat-trick of podiums!

That's racing.

DB