Leanne Tander: A racer and wife's view on the 1000

In the closing laps of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, it's the emotions on the faces of those in the team garages we remember.

While the driver is out on track with the helmet on, pushing through those final laps and desperately looking to make a gain - the V8 Supercar slipping and sliding, edging to overtake and nab just one more spot - their team and loved ones in pit lane are on an emotional roller-coaster.

For Leanne Tander, there's an added edge to that emotion.

As a race driver herself, who competed in the Great Race against husband Garth in 2009, she knows just challenging a stint around Mount Panorama can be, and how much the win means.

"Bathurst is pivotal to all," Leanne wrote in her blog, The Racing Mum.

"For those in the hunt for the Championship, Bathurst can make or break you. It's just one race for a whole round's worth of points - if you DNF or finish down the order and your rival is on the podium, that's a massive deficit to try and gain back over the three remaining rounds.

"Those who have had a tough year with no chance of winning the Championship are looking to Bathurst as their final chance to salvage something good from the season."

For Garth, who sits ninth overall, the Championship is now out of reach. But even in inconsistent years, he seems to be able to pull out that little something extra at Mount Panorama and challenge up the front.

Holden Racing Team continues to strengthen in 2014, and after an exhilarating finish battling with Jason Bright last year, Garth - paired with Warren Luff this season and fresh of a podium finish at Sandown - can't be counted out.

Leanne knows the thrill of racing to the Bathurst 1000 chequered flag and described last year's closing laps as exciting.

"Usually, if Garth's racing for the win or a podium it's really tense and nerve-wracking hoping nothing goes wrong in those last few laps. But the day hadn't been going well so when Garth started lapping faster than anyone and catching those in front, it was really a case of him having nothing to lose and putting it all on the line.

"As it turned out, it didn't go his way but it was still a good comeback for the team and a great way to end the day."

She agrees he can never be written off at Bathurst, and while a strong team around helps, Leanne believes it's Garth's mental toughness that pushes him through the long days at Bathurst.

Of course, her being at the track helps as well. Now mum of three-year old Scarlett and one-year old Sebastian, Leanne can't focus just on the racing, but has to ensure the kids are happy and occupied while also supporting Garth.

"Bathurst is a really busy week for the drivers with so many sponsor and media commitments on top of the driving, so I try to make sure Garth has to worry about as little else as possible - that can mean washing and drying his race gear or making sure he has some new gloves and balaclava to change into mid race, getting his lunch, going into town to source some random little thing he needs, looking after the motorhome and making sure we have enough water in the tanks so he can have a shower after sessions, grabbing him a plate of food from catering before it closes ... or just being an ear for venting frustrations.

"Sometimes, if I'm really lucky and the co-driver doesn't have a partner of his own, I get to run a few errands for him, too!

"Now I also have the kids to look after so there are times when it feels like I don't get to see as much of the race as I would if I were sitting at home watching it on TV, but of course I'd much rather be where the action is."

The two - who have just celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary - were together when Garth won his first Bathurst 1000 with Jason Bargwanna and Garry Rogers Motorsport, and Leanne has been at the track for many of the exciting moments.

"I have been there to experience the highest of highs, namely Garth's wins in 2000, 2009 and 2011 and my personal highlight finishing 18th in 2009 ... It was great to hear over the radio as I crossed the line that Garth had won!

"(And) I have been there to experience the lowest of lows - 2006 springs to mind when Garth and Mark Skaife were fastest in every session throughout the week only to have the clutch fail on the start and be crashed out as a consequence on lap one.

"I have been there to experience every emotion in between ... Garth is one of those you can never write off at Bathurst."

Leanne has this year gotten back behind the wheel herself, having competed most recently in Perth in both Formula Ford and Formula 1000, finishing third and first respectively, and setting a new lap record in the latter category.

She's also started her own blog, The Racing Mum - follow Leanne onFacebook for updates.

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be underway this time next week - grab your tickets now to Australia's Great Race.