FLEETS

Cat takes on Supercar

THE National Group-owned quarry in Nebo, Queensland was transformed into a racetrack recently when a Mobil 1 MEGA Supercar driven by professional race car driver James Courtney went head-to-head with a Cat 777F dump truck driven by fellow driver Scott Pye.

Mark Ackroyd starting the race

Mark Ackroyd starting the race

Well before the starting flag was waved, National Group managing director Mark Ackroyd mused about the matchup.

"Mining equipment is definitely not seen racing around a track very often, they are usually busy moving tonnes of dirt from point A to point B," he said.

"It will be an interesting match-up as our dump trucks are more well-known for their large engine capacity, sheer size and brute force, race cars on the other hand are more about speed and agility, so we've put a few obstacles in the way to even the score."

The course was set up so the Supercar had to weave its way past obstacles while the dump truck showed its power by bursting off the grid in a straight line.

Courtney started in the Supercar while Pye took the wheel of the Cat; with Courtney hitting trouble at the obstacles leaving the dump truck to take the honours after picking up speed down the straight.

Pye said growing up, almost every little boy wants to drive a big truck and thanks to National Group he and Courtney got to be young kids again.

Ackroyd said the day was a great opportunity to showcase the partnership with the Mobil 1 MEGA Racing team and most of all have some fun combining the industries' machines together for a never before seen event.

Watch the race here.

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