A special message of thanks to firefighters will turn heads and maybe prompt a few tears at the Bathurst 12 Hour event this weekend.
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Mark Tracey has wrapped the BMW he often races at Winton with a yellow striping pattern, and the words 'Thank You Firies' on the bonnet.
The idea came to Mr Tracey last week, anticipating his appearance in the combined sedans class at Bathurst.
"We were going to the 12-hour to race it anyway, but this was a different way to say thank you," he said.
"I think these guys [the firefighters] have struggled with what they've seen and had to do, and maybe if they see this car they might get a kick out of it."
Mr Tracey invited his friend Ross Wilson and the rest of the Thurgoona Rural Fire Brigade to come see the car before it was put on a trailer.
"I've known Mark for a long time mainly through work - he rang up with this concept and we thought it was a fantastic idea," Mr Wilson said.
"The volunteers are very dedicated and their commitment has been phenomenal, across the whole of NSW.
"Up at the Green Valley fire we had day and night shifts continuously for nearly the full two-and-a-half weeks.
"Normally this [time of year] is our start.
"But we've had five seasons in one already, and we've still got a long way to go.
"These are definitely some of the biggest fires NSW has ever seen."
As the BMW is being promoted on social media, people are being urged to donate to the NSW RFS or to a gofundme started by Steve Bowen for firefighter Samuel McPaul, who Mr Bowen had a personal connection to.
"We raised some money at the SS&A Club too, as well as the gofundme," Mr Bowen said.
"All funds will go to his wife and his unborn child."
There is also information on the RFS website about where people can donate to the service overall, or to the families of the three firefighters who lost their lives.
The Bathurst 12-Hour is televised, so Mr Tracey hopes his 'Thank you' will travel far.
"It's a support to the actual 12-hour race, we'll be racing in four races over the weekend," he said.
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"I don't think anyone else has done something like this.
"I did get one comment that it looks like the course car."
Even if it might distract some of the drivers at Bathurst, Mr Wilson is keen to see it on the grid alongside 54 other cars.
"I love it," he said.
"I follow race cars, so to see it on the actual track - I cannot wait."
