Ultimate Bathurst road trip: Riding in Broc Feeney's $1.5 million rolling accomodation
Two old roadies, one flash truck and a very well-rested Feeney. Crusher rides to Bathurst in the world's most luxurious car transporter.
There are plenty of ways to get to Bathurst and there are not too many I haven’t experienced in more than 40 years of attending the “Great Race”, but fewer have come more flash than this.
This year, my pilgrimage to The Mountain involved Paul Feeney, a $1.5 million Wade Titanium twin race car transporter and enough Elton John and Neil Diamond to qualify us for a farewell tour.
We left the Gold Coast on Sunday, bound for this weekend’s Bathurst 1000. Paul, a former motorcycle ace – and father of Triple Eight's Broc – brought considerable racing experience. I brought four decades of motorsport stories and the ability to identify a suitable refreshment stop.
Between us, we were reasonably equipped. Our transport was considerably better equipped.
Built on Mercedes-Benz’s Actros GigaSpace platform, the Wade Titanium combines serious hauling capability with accommodation that makes the words “sleeping in the truck” sound positively attractive.
The published specification includes a 13-litre six-cylinder engine producing 395kW, or around 530 horsepower, matched to a 12-speed automated transmission. That’s plenty of muscle for a vehicle designed to carry two race cars and a generous helping of creature comforts.
Inside, there’s slide-out living space, a climate-controlled interior, bespoke furnishings and a proper bathroom with a full-size shower, basin and toilet. Outside, clean lines and beautifully finished bodywork give it a presence that’s hard to ignore.
On the road, the thing that impressed me most was the ride. Big trucks can make you feel like you’ve completed a race before reaching the circuit. This one made the kilometres remarkably comfortable, like heading to the track in your recliner rocker!
Unfortunately, Wade hasn’t yet developed a system that automatically changes Paul’s playlist.
Elton and Neil made several appearances. Then several more. By Coonabarabran, I was starting to wonder whether we were heading to Bathurst or performing a residency in Las Vegas.
Sunday night’s accommodation was the local showgrounds, where our rather imposing home on wheels was a substantial upgrade on the traditional camping arrangement - certainly proving a massive shadow over a couple of grey nomads parked next door in their Jayco on their way “back to Tassie”.
Dinner was at the famous Golden Sea Dragon Chinese restaurant, followed by a few cleansing ales at the local bowls club while watching the NRL grand final.
Chinese food, cold beer and footy. Some travel itineraries simply don’t need improving.
On Monday, we continued to Orange, where the truck received a wash before its arrival at Bathurst. You don’t roll a $1.5 million rig into the Supercars paddock looking like you’ve just completed a harvest.
Cleaned up and parked, it was an imposing unit even among the impressive machinery that surrounds Australia’s biggest race.
Its rear compartment, normally intended for race cars, had a different assignment this weekend: Broc Feeney’s bedroom.
Broc actually bought his own bed for the occasion. Apparently, even a Supercars driver appreciates choosing his own suspension settings when it comes to sleeping.
Wade’s transporter story has its roots in New Zealand and the equine industry, building trucks that combined horse transport with comfortable living quarters. That expertise has translated beautifully into motorsport, and the business now also has a Gold Coast base at Coomera.
Different horsepower, same attention to detail.
The build quality really is exceptional. The cabinetry, fittings, finish and use of space suggest people who understand that owners will spend serious time in these vehicles.
For another $500,000, the entire truck could be converted into a full-scale motorhome.
After our trip, I can understand the temptation.
A magnificent rig, a good mate and a proper road trip to Bathurst.
Just budget for your own playlist.
Wade Titanium Fast Facts
- Australian compliant
- 12,500mm long x 4300mm high
- Double rack car bay system for two GT cars
- Mercedes-Benz Actros Gigaspace underpinnings
- 395kW cab chassis
- 13-litre engine
- 12-speed automatic
- Spacious Slide Out
- Fully air-conditioned
- Curated tile bathroom
- Outdoor kitchen includes a full stainless steel BBQ, fridge and bench
- Large storage lockers
- Full size washing machine dryer.
- Marine Grade off-the-grid electrical system
