BATHURST motorsport identity Brian Nightingale has passed away, aged 71.
A four-time Great Race starter, ‘Nighto’ was a part of the furniture at Mount Panorama, whether it be behind the wheel or in the pit lane, paddock and media centre.
He was a constant presence at the Mountain for years, providing insightful, regular coverage of events at the circuit via local radio coverage on 2BS and B-Rock and The Western Advocate newspaper.
His son Terry reported the news on social media this morning.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I need to let you know that my father Brian Nightingale has passed away peacefully in my arms at 12.33am this morning in the Bathurst Base Hospital Intensive Care Unit,” he posted.
“This is a shock for us all and there are no words or feelings that explain how devastated we are.”
Nightingale made four starts in the Bathurst 1000.
He competed in 1980 and 1981 in an Escort, in 1984 in the Tokico Mazda RX-7 and his final start in 1986 came at the wheel of one of Bob Holden’s Toyota Sprinters.
The vision of him slamming the door on the Mazda while buried in the sand at Hell Corner in the 1984 race made highlights tapes and colour reels for many years afterwards.
‘Nighto’ was named as one of 200 Bathurst Legends for his service to local motorsport and V8 Sleuth passes on its condolences to his family and friends.
