October 2008

Clermont cheers on champions

Reigning Bathurst 1000 champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes recently revved up Clermont when they rolled into town.

As part of their tour across the Bowen Basin, the V8 Supercar drivers were special guests at a community barbecue breakfast sponsored by Blair Athol Mine and Clermont Mine.

Blair Athol Mine general manager operations, Andrew Cole, said the TeamVodafone Pit Stop Challenge was a chance for local community members to be strapped in and test drive a race car simulator and try changing wheels on a race car.

“There are a lot of enthusiastic V8 Supercar fans in our region so the breakfast was a great opportunity for them to meet their idols one on one,” Andrew said.

Clermont Mine general manager construction, Dave Lamb, said Rio Tinto Coal Australia was proud of its work to support local events which benefit communities neighbouring its mine sites.

“As part of the tour the drivers also visited Clermont Mine. Craig and Jamie talked to our team and shared some of their experiences of working in a high performance environment,” Dave said.

Pictured: Reigning Bathurst 1000 champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes size up their racing cars against a 930 haul truck at Clermont Mine.

Pictured: Reigning Bathurst 1000 champion Jamie Whincup takes some time out with Clermont Mine employees.

Pictured: Clermont Mine employees compare Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes’ Ford racing cars to a 930 haul truck. 

Pictured: Reigning Bathurst 1000 champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes inside a 930 haul truck at Clermont Mine.