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Published Oct. 3, 2025
The Bathurst 1000 is days away, and Repco has decided the best way to build the hype is to put a few legends in a classroom and hand the keys to Shannon Noll. The latest commercial from the motorsport stalwart gives Neil Crompton an unexpected new job: head instructor at the Bathurst Driving School. It is not the kind of role most fans would have predicted for the former Supercars commentator, but it suits him perfectly.
Crompton built his post-driving career as the familiar voice of Supercars television coverage. For years, his commentary was as much a part of the Great Race as the mountain itself. So when a student in the ad dares to call Garth Tander “the voice of Bathurst,” Crompton will not stand for it. He promptly removes the former champion from the screen and takes over the lesson. The moment plays as a classic, self-aware bit of humour, the kind that works best when everyone watching knows the reputation behind the joke.
The ad’s setup is simple. A group of novice students arrives at Mount Panorama, ready to learn how to take on one of the toughest circuits in the world. Crompton introduces a rotating cast of special guest instructors, each with their own piece of Bathurst folklore to offer. It quickly becomes clear that this is not your typical driving lesson.
Greg Murphy, for example, is on hand with a reminder that even the best in the sport can have a moment of madness. Murphy is best remembered by Supercars fans for his famous qualifying “lap of the gods” in 2003, a drive that is still part of Bathurst legend. But in the Repco ad, he jokes about the time he left the pits with a fuel hose still attached to his car during the 2002 race and copped a five-minute penalty. It is a fun way to turn one of his most frustrating moments into a punchline.
Dick Johnson also appears, and the joke basically writes itself. There has always been one unexpected obstacle that looms larger than any rival in Bathurst folklore: the boulder Johnson hit in the 1980 race. The rock became one of the defining images of his career. In the ad, the students are shown how to dodge a huge rock that appears from nowhere, and Johnson is clearly still not particularly thrilled about it. Those who know their Bathurst history will get the reference immediately.
David Reynolds, meanwhile, handles the hydration section of the course. Reynolds is a former race winner and one of the most entertaining personalities in pit lane, so it makes sense that he would use champagne and a racing boot to demonstrate the importance of staying hydrated. The “shoey” has been part of motorsport culture for years, but it still looks gloriously ridiculous on screen. It is exactly the kind of scene that ensures the ad gets shared well after Bathurst week is finished.
The attention then turns to the students. As Crompton asks which of them wants to drive first, a voice from the back of the room cuts in: “What about me?” It is, of course, Shannon Noll. The Australian singer, who became famous long before he ever got near a steering wheel, is the obvious choice for comic relief. In the ad, Noll gets behind the wheel not long after his offer, and things go badly. He wastes little time before putting the Repco car into the wall, bringing the commercial to a chaotic and very on-brand finish.
In a behind-the-scenes clip that accompanies the campaign, Noll explains why the race means so much to him. “I actually grew up not two and a half hours from Bathurst, so it’s just a monumental event,” he said. He also recalled how the race dominated local conversation when he was a kid. That personal connection gives the ad an extra layer of warmth beneath the humour. Noll may be the punchline in the commercial, but his affection for the event is genuine.
The creative direction makes sense when you consider how important Bathurst is to the broader motorsport calendar. The event is more than just a race. It is an annual festival of speed, risk, and national identity, with a healthy dose of larrikin humour. Repco has leaned into that tone in recent years, and this spot leans in even harder. By leaning on genuine legends and a recognisable musician, the brand gets the best of both worlds: credibility with motorsport fans and broad appeal beyond the hard-core audience.
There is also real sport behind all the comedy. The 2025 Supercars standings are tight heading into the race. Matthew Payne, driving for Penrite Racing, currently leads the championship with 2,275 points. Broc Feeney and Kai Allen are right behind him, so this year’s Bathurst 1000 carries serious title implications. The Great Race has often decided championships, and with the points spread so close, every lap at the mountain could matter.
For newcomers who are discovering Bathurst because of the ad, the actual race promises plenty of drama of its own. The 1000-kilometre endurance classic runs from October 8 to 11, with practice, qualifying, and the main event taking place across those days. It is one of the most demanding races in the world, with 161 laps, tight corners, dramatic elevation changes, and weather that can shift at any moment. Throw in the real possibility of kangaroos on the circuit, and it is not hard to see why the Repco ad leaned into the absurd side of the event.
Crompton may be the headline act in the commercial, but the real winner is the audience. The ad gives long-time fans a collection of knowing nods, while also giving new viewers a sense of what makes Bathurst special. It is silly, it is quick, and it knows exactly when to stop. For a race that takes itself seriously on track, a little bit of off-track fun is the perfect way to start the week.
