Imagine preparing to go to your first ever Bathurst 1000 supercar race at Mount Panorama, only to be told that instead of being part of the crowd, you will be assisting a supercar team pit crew.
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For six Wagga TAFE automotive apprentices, this will be their reality.
Hayden Crewe, Tony Rogers, Jason Nolte, Max Henman, Joseph Heath and Patrick Hutchinson were hand-picked out of more than 600 Wagga TAFE automotive students for the 'opportunity of a lifetime.
Each student has been allocated a team for the main race, including Triple Eight Racing, Brad Jones Racing and Tickford Racing.
Headteacher for automotive at TAFE NSW Wagga, Wayne Sibrey said teachers selected the students who showed the most passion for the industry.
"It's really hard to select them, there are about 600 students in the automotive section," Mr Sibrey said.
"The guys that have been selected are the ones who have really applied themselves throughout the whole three years- both in the workshop and in the classroom. It's not always the one's who has the highest marks, it's the one's who try their hardest and really care about the industry and you can see their passion.
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"They're hand-picked, teachers choice. Wagga's been going for six years, but it wasn't until last year we were asked to provide support to the supercar teams, so that was a major win.
"The guys last year had an amazing experience where three out of the six achieved podium at Bathurst.
"A lot of the students got to celebrate with the team in the WIP room- no one gets to do that, some guys who have been in this industry their whole life never get to have that experience.
"Three of the six from last year are also still actively involved in racing with these teams- so, on the weekends they will go and help with these teams- they now have exposure in these teams so there's a possible future in it later on.
"Usually, to get involved you pretty much have to be studying a certificate four in motorsport and start with a lower team and work your way up."
Qualified Agricultural Technology Certificate three student Hayden Crewe said the experience will provide the students with a vision to progress within the industry.
"It's chance of a lifetime, so I'm very excited, you know, growing up watching V8s and seeing the teams progress through the years, the different cars, different engines and now being nominated by our TAFE teachers to do this, yeah, it's really exciting," he said.
"It opens our eyes to what the possibilities are, not only within our current line of work but also to where we can progress to- it gives them that vision to progress."
Mr Crewe said he is most expected to meet the teams, see how they work and function and watch how they react to the changes in the race.
Student Tony Rogers said he has wanted to go to Bathurst 1000 for as long as he can remember, and this will be his very first time.
"I always wanted to go and this is the best way to go as your first time I reckon," he said.
Mr Rogers had to pester his way into the industry but it is now paying off for him big time.
"I started [getting into cars] when I was a kid and then I had to ask the boss four times for a job and he finally got me to come down and get started."
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