News

1 April 2021 | General

Blue Tree unveiled next to Brock to raise awareness of mental health challenges

Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour team Spartan 1 Racing and drivers Craig Baird, Scott Cameron and Steve Pittman will this year race to raise awareness for Suicide prevention charity, Blue Tree Project.

The HSV-driving trio were joined by Bathurst Mayor Cr Bobby Bourke at the National Motor Racing museum on Thursday afternoon to unveil the symbol of the charity – a bright blue tree – next to the statue of Bathurst legend Peter Brock.

The Blue Tree Project’s goals are to spark difficult conversations and encourage people to speak up when battling mental health concerns.

The West Australian-born initiative has communities or individuals painting dead trees blue, the concept designed to spread the message that ‘it’s OK to not be OK’ and feel confident to openly discuss mental health issues.

The Blue Trees have been appearing around Australia as the charity broadens its efforts, with Bathurst the latest addition this weekend.

The Perth-based team and the Blue Tree Project charity hopes that the unveiling of one of the notable Blue Trees next to the iconic Peter Brock statue will help spark that discussion among Bathurst 6 hour – and National Motor Racing museum – attendees this weekend.

Drivers Baird, Cameron and Steve Pittman are all experienced Mount Panorama campaigners, while the Spartan 1 team has also bolstered their behind-the-scenes crew thanks to the addition of key engineers, Wally Storey and Nigel Bolling.

The team will be one of several amidst a competitive fight for Class A2 (Extreme Performance, Normally Aspirated) honours this weekend with 13 cars entered in the class for normally aspirated sedans and coupe’s.

As well as several HSV Commodores, the category is also the home of five Ford Mustang GTs and a Mercedes-AMG C63.

On-track action commences at 7:05am, with the first Bathurst 6 Hour session scheduled to commence at 10:20am.