The decision to compete this weekend serves as a strategic move to gain invaluable knowledge and experience at the world-famous circuit, which is renowned for its unique and demanding layout.
Oliphant and his Ashley Seward Motorsport team eagerly seized the opportunity to get more track time, which is expected to play a pivotal role in improving his performance during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International event in November.
Ahead of his Bathurst debut, Oliphant was thrilled to have the opportunity to familiarise himself with the track before competing again next month.
Secure your ticket to Race Sydney and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International here.
“Bathurst is a very unique track, its unlike anything else in the world,” Oliphant said.
“It was always a track that I was always going to struggle to get on before racing there, and before the TCR World Tour come, track knowledge will be vital.
“We looked into our options and Ash from ASM found an opportunity in the SuperUtes, which was really cool.
“I have never driven one before in my life, it is very Aussie but it’s a great opportunity to learn the track.
“Everyone in TCR Australia has raced Bathurst multiple times, I have been at a negative advantage all of this year, so I just wanted to put myself in the best place possible.
“At Sandown, I had just come back from my wedding, hadn’t seen the track before and just having 25 minutes of tack time before qualifying just wasn’t ideal.
“Every race is going to be a practice for me, I’m sure I will have a lot of fun but realistically I don’t mind if I’m last and just going around by myself, it’s a glorified test session.”
While preparing for the upcoming TCR round was the main contributing factor for competing, Oliphant was also excited to be able to tick off the last circuit on his bucket list.
“It’s my last bucket list track I haven’t raced on, I have had the privilege of racing at Le Mans, Silverstone, Barcelona, Abu Dhabi, Dubai all these amazing tracks and I’ve loved every second of it,” Oliphant explained.
“Bathurst is the last one I have on my list, I always wanted to race there and this weekend and November I will finally be able to.
“It’s a track that the world looks at and goes, “Its Bathurst” – everyone knows what that means and as a driver, saying that you have taken on the mountain is unlike anything else in the world.
“It’s great to get the opportunity and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Oliphant currently sits 10th in the overall standings on 356 points, with his standout performance this season being an impressive race victory at Hi-Tec Oils Race Winton in June.
Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series will next feature at Race Sydney on 3-4 November, and it will be the first of two Kumho TCR World Tour rounds down under with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International taking place the following week.
Tickets for both events are available at motorsporttickets.com.au.