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V8: Diffey--Bathurst’s One Of The Five Most Treacherous Tracks In The World
Versatile SPEED host Leigh Diffey, a native Australian, says the Bathurst circuit is one of the "Five trickiest and most treacherous tracks in the world."
Erik Arneson  |  Posted September 27, 2011  
SPEED will deliver all of the raw action and intensity from Bathurst on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. (LAT)
Versatile SPEED host Leigh Diffey, a native of Brisbane, Australia, is a key member of the broadcast team bringing live coverage of the famed Bathurst 1000 from Mount Panorama in New South Wales, Australia to SPEED on Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. Diffey, who covered the series in his native land for more than 10 years, shares some insight into the iconic race for fans who might be tuning in for the first time:

SPEED: For someone who has never watched an Aussie V8 race, what should they expect to see?

DIFFEY: Big cars, big noise and big action! This is an incredible, colorful and dynamic racing series where the characters are as lively as the cars and they race in the same manner. There'll be drama and diversity in every sense. A first-time viewer will not want to grab the remote to look for something else to watch.

SPEED: Who are the stars? Who are U.S. fans going to want to get to know?

DIFFEY: Craig Lowndes, Mark Skaife, Jamie Whincup, Russell Ingall, Garth Tander, Mark Winterbottom, Steve Johnson, the Davison and Kelly brothers.

SPEED: What is “Hell Corner” and how did it earn that name?

DIFFEY: It is Turn One … and is a tricky one at that. It was allegedly named because of the tree stump that existed on the apex of the turn; it was believed that any motor bike riders who hit the stump would die in an act of folly and thereby be doomed to an eternity of death having no time to repent of their sin.

SPEED: The track on Mount Panorama looks like it has some tricky spots; how would you rate the course on the “danger” level and why?

DIFFEY: It is in the top five trickiest and most treacherous tracks in the world. There's very little run-off and there are blind corners; this track requires massive commitment at every stage.

SPEED: This is obviously a long race on a unique course; what is the biggest challenge for the car/crew?

DIFFEY: Making the car fast, reliable and drivable for the full 1,000 km -- easier said than done. Top speed is so crucial but then again handling is paramount. You will get left behind here, however, with poor top speed.

Diffey will be joined in the SPEED booth by three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and recent NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Darrell Waltrip and DW’s NASCAR on FOX partner Mike Joy. Calvin Fish will report from the pits.

In addition to offering live coverage of the 620-mile Bathurst 1000, SPEED also will air the Gold Coast 600 race live on Oct. 22 at 11:30 p.m. ET from the street circuit at Surfers Paradise.

For more information on SPEED coverage of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship, please visit http://www.speedtv.com/programs/australian-v8-supercars/.
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