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TIMES
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A setback for
Longhurst
BATHURST
tlBa
1 *
Rivalry of
identical
siblings
In ihe cut-and-thrust world of motor racing there is
plenty of room for rivalry but rarely is that rivalry of the
sibling variety.
For two young Canberra brothers motor racing will
provide the stage for some friendly sibling rivalry today
after a fairy-tale road to the Tooheys 1000.
The two brothers are identical twins Neal and Rick
Bates, 25, who are both super keen to make it in the world
of motor sport.
The pair share not only identical looks and a car repair
and sales business in Fysh wick but also the skill and good
fortune to win two different motor racing talent quests in
consecutive wins.
Last year Neal won Toyota's Star Search guest the
prize for which was a fully-paid factory-team drive in the
T ooheys 1000 at Bathurst.
Neal rewarded Toyota's judgment with a class win and
he was invited back this year to join the team in the lead
Corolla.
Brother Rick decided to enter the Peter Jackson Search
for a Champion quest and he too won through to the first
prize of a drive at Bathurst in a Holden Commodore.
The unassuming pair are probably the most surprised
to be racing at Bathurst in virtually works teams only a
year after they were both almost forced out of the motor .
sport through lack of money.
"If you wrote a script no one would believe it," Neal
said.
"I couldn't believe it when I was chosen last year and
Rick wasn't sure he would be in the race for this year's
contest but here we are," he said.
Neal, in a class challenging 1600cc Corolla and Rick,
in an outright five litre Commodore will be trying to beat
the other home.
"We're good mates but we are heavy rivals when it
comes to beating the other behind the wheel," Rick said.
Rick Bates with his co-driver, Peter Gazzard, qualified
the Commodore in 35th while Neal has put the TTA
Corolla on 46th place on the grid and leading car in the
division-three small-car class.
The most confused people at Bathurst are the race
organisers, who like most others have had a great deal'of
trouble telling the difference between the two.
"It's just as well we are in different teams or we would
be confusing even more people," Neal said.
"At least we have different uniforms on this weekend,"
he said.
- JON THOMSON
Picture GRAHAM TIDY Canberra brothers Neal Bates, left, and Rick, take a break during race preparations. Help
Picture GRAHAM TIDY
Canberra brothers Neal Bates, left, and Rick,
take a break during race preparations.
$