NEW Zealand star Nick Cassidy has indicated he has turned down offers to race in the Bathurst 1000.
Cassidy has a phenomenal global record, including winning titles in Super Formula (2019), Super GT (2017), Japanese Formula 3 (2015) and the Toyota Racing Series (2012 and 2013), as well as being the 2022/23 Formula E overall runner-up.
The 29-year-old was linked to a Supercars co-drive with Shane van Gisbergen for this year before that seat went to Richie Stanaway.
Cassidy has now confirmed he indeed has had approaches to line up in the Great Race, but has put that bucket list item on the backburner for now.
“I keep saying no, whenever I get a call,” he said on the Screaming Meals podcast. “It looks hard!
“You’ve got to do it, but you want to do it at the end of your career so when you suck, at least you’re on the way out anyway,” he added with a chuckle.
Cassidy does have an appreciation for Supercars equipment, having tested an Erebus Motorsport ZB Commodore in 2019.
He also competed in five Super2 races in 2011 and won a 2012 V8 SuperTourer race with Jack Perkins at Taupo Motorsport Park.
“I did a test with (David) Reynolds and Erebus, at Winton, and I was okay. I felt pretty good,” said Cassidy.
“But I locked once (at) the second-to-last corner at Winton, I’ve locked there and every bush in the district is on fire and I’ve just ended up at pitlane entry saying ‘box, guys’. You have got no chance of stopping.
“For me, the brake feeling is so heavy and the tyre is small on those things, it’s tough.
“I think going to the street tracks, Bathurst, big respect for those guys. SVG in those old cars, especially on the brakes, the top guys there are pretty damn good.”
Cassidy will switch to Jaguar for the 2023/24 Formula E season, making for an all-Kiwi driver roster alongside compatriot Mitch Evans.
