“It’s always been a part of my life, my dad (John) raced rally cars in the late 80s and early 90s,” he said.

“He got my brother a go-kart and I felt like I missed out, so then he got me one.”

Older sibling James was nine, while David was only seven.

He had his first race in Numurkah, before joining the Albury club in 1992.

The family has always been ‘Bathurst’ fanatics, living every moment of the 1000-kilometre race.

And, in a lovely touch, his grandfather Kevin Reynolds camped on the mountain to watch his win.

“Old ‘Shifty’, yeah, he does alright for 85 (years of age), I hope I’m still full of beans at that age,” David said.

“He loves racing … so I can only imagine how he’s feeling.”

The likeable Reynolds labelled himself a “high school dropout” after the win.

“When it all started to get serious, I was like this is not for me,” he laughed.

Reynolds has long been regarded as one of the great characters of motor racing.

He was quizzed if his personality overshadowed his driving skills.

“Yes and no, I’m a bit of an idiot outside the car,” he said.

“But when it’s in competition mode, I try to conduct myself in the car as a full professional.

“I don’t really talk a lot on the (team) radio, I only give the information I have to give.

“I don’t try to do any stupid stuff.”