20 September 2005

McConville and Jones cross the border in Climb to the Mountain charity ride

415 kilometres completed as V8 Supercar stars head for Wagga Wagga

V8 SUPERCAR drivers Cameron McConville and Andrew Jones are today heading to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales on their 1075-kilometre bike ride from Melbourne to Bathurst.

The Garry Rogers Motorsport drivers left Albury at 9am today on the fifth day of their 10-day endurance test, joined by Network Ten reporter Greg Rust, who is documenting the duo’s ride for a story on the network’s Logie Award-winning Bathurst 1000 telecast this October.

McConville and Jones are raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and have now received $55,000 in pledges from companies and organisations keen to back them on their unique challenging test of mental and physical endurance.

 

After a 145-kilometre opening day last Friday to Seymour, the riding group has already encountered chilly early morning starts and variable weather, but all are in good spirits and health as they head towards a few days of hilly stages.

“The support we’ve had from the towns we’ve visited already – Seymour, Shepparton, Wangaratta and Albury – has been fantastic,” said McConville.

“It’s been tough on the bodies but we’ve had a couple of days with relatively flat riding, though the crosswinds really do make you work hard.

“The next few days have a lot of rolling hills and sharp climbs so it’s going to be a big effort by all concerned.

“We’re nearly at the halfway mark. We all keep saying how sweet it will be to finish the ride on Sunday with a lap of Mount Panorama but I don’t think we understand just how elated we’ll feel when we cross the finish line just yet.”

Jones had plenty of supporters yesterday upon arrival in his hometown of Albury, greeted by plenty of family members and friends.

“It’s always nice to see some familiar faces, particularly after you’ve been slaving away on the road for four days,” he said.

“We’re trucking along quite well. There’s a great vibe among the group and we’ve been pushing and encouraging one another the whole way. It’s something pretty special to be a part of.”

The Climb to the Mountain heads to Harden-Murrumburrah tomorrow before entering Canberra on Thursday. It then arrives in Boorowa on Friday and Cowra on Saturday, where McConville and Jones will visit the local Repco store at 2pm.

The duo, who finished 10^th in the recent Sandown 500, will finish at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama circuit on Sunday September 25. They will ride a lap of the famous 6.213-kilometre track beginning at 12.30pm.

Local riders in Bathurst are encouraged to join the V8 Supercar duo in their ‘last lap’ of the Mountain and be a part of this unique experience.

McConville and Jones will return to Bathurst two weeks after the completion of the ride to drive in the Bathurst 1000, which is the tenth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

Supporters can pledge donations by phoning the Make-A-Wish Foundation's toll free number on 1800 032 260. When making a donation it is vital to quote reference number 6081 to ensure the donation is attributed to the Climb to the Mountain charity ride.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is celebrating its 20^th year of operation in Australia this year. It makes the cherished wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses come true by granting them a special wish.

Climb to the Mountain acknowledge the following companies and organisations for their support of the 2005 event: Holden, Network Ten, Tattersall’s, Warwick Fabrics, IMG, Hog’s Breath Café, Bathurst Regional Council, Phil Munday’s Panel Works, Valvoline, Repco, Cummins, Garry Rogers Motorsport, Ontera Modular Carpets, Stratton Finance, Murcotts Driving Excellence, Raine and Horne, Stream Solutions, Bolton Signs, Typo Corporate Services, Tangelo and Powerade.

For details on driver appearances, log on to www.grmotorsport.com.au