Slade warms up for Bathurst with stunning Perth record

Supercars veteran Tim Slade has lit up the time sheets ahead of the Repco Bathurst 1000, setting a new lap record in Perth.

The PremiAir Nulon Racing driver, who recently announced his retirement, hit the track at CARCO.com.au Raceway last weekend.

Slade was a headline act at the International Festival of Speed aboard a Nissan Skyline R32, and reset the closed car lap record at the famous Wanneroo circuit.

The 39-year-old powered the Skyline to a 51.574s around the 2.4km circuit, smashing the previous record — a 53.168s — set by Tony Ricciardello in 2019.

The all-time lap record is a 50.5769s, set in 2007 by Gary West aboard his F3000 Lola T87/50.

The Supercars race lap record, meanwhile, remains a 53.7293s set by James Courtney during the 2019 SuperNight event.

Slade jetted off to Perth just days after a flying visit to Bathurst, where he linked up with teammate James Golding to help paint line-work around Mount Panorama.

Slade’s efforts came in a car powered by an engine which produces more than 1000 horsepower. The engine itself was overseen by Brad Sherriff, who famous clocked over 320km/h in his Skyline down Bathurst’s Conrod Straight.

Slade is no stranger to the 4WD Skyline, competing at the World Time Attack Challenge at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this year.

Slade will make his 16th Bathurst start this weekend alongside rookie Cameron McLeod, with tickets on sale for the October 10-13 event.