Every year Australia holds its greatest racing event in the beautiful city of Bathurst, and Supercheap Auto is the proud sponsor. We don’t just support the race event, team or drivers though, we support the supporters. We have put together this quick guide to the Bathurst 1000 event so you can brush up on your trivia of the race and the track, and ace any quiz that comes your way. We’ve also thrown together a handy guide to help you prepare for the trip to Bathurst, and for what you might need to bring with you to the Great race.
The Race
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions to do with the race event itself, pore over the answers, and if you want a bit more info, then visit the National Motor Racing Museum - at Bathurst itself.
Why is it Called the Bathurst 1000?
The obvious answer to this question is that the race takes place just outside of the city of Bathurst, but why there? And what does the 1000 mean in Bathurst 1000?
First, a little bit about the place:
Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in Australia, and being the site of the first gold discovery in Australia, it became the centre of the first Australian gold rush. After the gold dried up, Bathurst enjoyed a slow but steady growth but nothing would quite put it on the map in the same way as gold had. That is until 1963 when the Armstrong 500 race was moved from the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit to the Mount Panorama circuit, which is technically a street circuit, and had been in use since the late 30s. Initially the event was known as the Bathurst 500, since the length of the race was 500 miles, but in 1973 the race was extended from 500 miles to 1000 kilometres. Faster cars had meant that the 500 mile race distance was being achieved earlier and earlier by the year, and since Australia had converted to the metric system, the increased distance was considered more appropriate than 800 km for an endurance race - Hence the Bathurst 1000 was born.
When is the Bathurst 1000 Held?
2019 Bathurst 1000 will begin on Thursday, 10 October and ends on Sunday, 13 October 2019.
How Long Does the Race Take?
The 161-lap race generally takes between six and seven hours to complete, depending on Safety Car periods where the race is slowed down in order to allow crashed cars to be removed from the track safely. The lead driver of a team can't do any more than 107 laps under the rules, while the co-driver needs to have completed at least 54 laps. A minimum of seven pit stops is also required too.
Which Cars Race in the Bathurst 1000?
Although it’s often seen as a race between only Ford and Holden, the Bathurst 1000 has hosted a massive variety of cars over the years. From Minis and Vauxhals to Volvos and Chevrolets there have been a range of manufacturers too. Nowadays the competing cars are the Ford Mustang, the Holden Commodore ZB and the Nissan Altima.
Which Manufacturer is Leading the Bathurst 1000?
Traditionally, the Bathurst 1000 is seen as a showdown between the two great Aussie car manufacturers - Holden, and Ford. If you are wondering who is leading the bathurst 1000 over the last 58 races (which includes the Bathurst 500) the clear winner is Holden. So far, Holden has the most overall victories with 33 wins to its name. Ford follows that with 19 first-place finishes, and Nissan is the only other multiple winner - with 2. Which leaves four races won by other manufacturers.
Which Other Brands Have Won at the Bathurst 1000?
Besides Holden,Ford and Nissan, the Bathurst 1000 (and 500, before it) has had a few other winners: Morris, Jaguar, BMW, and Volvo have each won a victory at the great race.
Who Has the Fastest Lap Time at Bathurst?
Currently, the official lap record is held by Christopher Mies with a time of 1:59.2910. He set the record during the 2018 Challenge Bathurst while driving a GT3-spec Audi R8 Ultra. Although there have been faster laps recorded at Mount Panorama, only laps set during a race actually qualify as records. Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button set a quick unofficial lap record of 1:48 in a Mclaren Formula One car back in 2009.
Who Won the Most Bathurst 1000 races?
With nine wins under his belt, the undisputed champion of the Bathurst 1000 is - to this day - the late Peter Brock. His on-track performance earned him the nickname “King of the Mountain,” while his unending positivity and enthusiasm for the sport (and life in general) and his warm and friendly treatment of his many fans earned him a place as a true Aussie national treasure.
If you’ve wondered why the trophy that is handed out to the winner of the Bathurst 1000 is called the “Peter Brock Trophy” now you know - It is to commemorate the lifetime racing achievements of one of the greatest motorsport legends of all time.
How Many People Attend the Bathurst 1000?
In short, one heck of a lot! Last year, a total figure of 206,755 people visited Mount Panorama for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 showpiece event. This is the second highest attendance on record, with the 50th anniversary event attracting 207,205 people in 2012.
The Track
How Far is it Around Mount Panorama?
With a total length of 6.213 km, and with 23 turns, mount Panorama makes for quite the race track. But it isn’t the length, nor the number of corners that makes it so interesting, but rather the interesting layout, difference of 174-metres between its highest and lowest points, and the characterful sections that make up the track - each with its own story to tell.
Can you Walk, Cycle or Drive Around Mount Panorama?
While it is a world-renowned race course, Mount Panorama is also a public road for the majority of the year and there are over 40 private residences, a variety of private businesses, and the headquarters of a variety of clubs situated on the mount too. You can walk, cycle and drive around the track - however, there aren’t any footpaths, so caution is advised. Regular road rules apply when it is not in use for racing, although during actual events, access is strictly limited so travel should be planned for accordingly.
What is the Layout of Mount Panorama Circuit?
The track at Mount Panorama has a fairly unusual design by modern standards, due to the aforementioned height difference between its highest and lowest points, and some pretty steep grades. The basic layout can be viewed in three general sections;
- The short pit straight followed by a tight left turn into the long, steep Mountain straight
- The tight, narrow, winding section across the top of the mountain itself
- Then the long, downhill section of Conrod Straight, with the very fast Chase and the final turn back onto pit straight to complete the lap.
Pit Straight
Bathurst is famous for being a 1000kms race, the race would actually be 1000.293kms long however the locations of the start and finish line are not the same.
1. Hell Corner
Situated after the pit straight Hell corner is a hard 90º left corner and the first of 23 bends along the track. It is a common misconception that is was so named because of the number of crashes it’s seen however it is believed that it was actual named after a tree stump that existed on the apex of this turn.
2. Griffins Bend [The Quarry]
Named after Martin Griffin the Mayor of Bathurst who declared the track open on the17th March 1938. The corner is negatively cambered at the end of the mountain straight and has claimed many an overzealous driver.
4. The Cutting
Turns 3 & 4 are both left hand corners that serve as a double-apex with turn 3 a mere kink before you hit turn 4. The cutting is one of the tightest corners on the track with a 1.6 gradient exit at the top, not for the faint hearted and is so called because it is cut into the mountain rock.
7. Reid Park
Turns 7, 9 & 11 are named after the parks that surround them. Die-hard campers will set up here for the week leading up to the race.
8. Frog Hollow
9. Sulman Park
Situated at the highest point of the track, 862m above sea level.
10. McPhillamy Park
You dip down to turn 11 which is a deceptively fast sharp left-hand kink. The famous corner was also the site of the crash between the Falcons of Bob Morris and Christine Gibson that blocked the track and stopped the 1981 James Hardie 1000 on lap 120, 43 laps short of race distance giving Dick Johnson and John French the win.
11 - 17. The Esses
Named for it’s “S” shapes, this section of track is not for the faint hearted and is characteristic of a street course, narrow with walls on the outside and inside of the corners.
15. The Dipper
A banked, left handed, double-apex hairpin corner the dipper is aptly named as the track literally dips off.
18. Forrest’s Elbow
A slow decending left-hand turn where the racing line drifts towards the outside wall on exit. Motorcycle racer Jack Forrest dropped his bike on this corner, scraping his elbow away and leaving behind not only his skin but his name.
19. Conrod Straight
V8 Supercars can hit an impressive 298km/h making it the fastest section of track and due to its excessive speed also one of the more dangerous. It was originally called Main Straight but renamed after a driver was forced to retire from the race after a conrod failed in the car.
20 - 22. The Chase
In 1987 the length of the straight was changed by the introduction of The Chase enabling it to adhere to FIA rules in preparation for the World Touring Car Championships.
23. Murray’s Corner
So named after Bill Murray crashed his Hudson racing car there 1946 prior to this it was called Pit Corner as it is the final corner before Pit Straight and the lowest point of the circuit.
Getting to the Bathurst 1000 - and enjoying your stay.
If you are making the journey to Bathurst by road then there are a few things you can do to make sure you arrive safely and on-time.
Plan out your route
Be sure to check for any roadworks or traffic warnings before you head off, and make sure you only take roads that are suitable for your vehicle. Weather in NSW can be somewhat unpredictable around this time of year, so be sure to account for rainfall.
Check your vehicle’s health
Give your car a proper check over all the essentials to make sure it is up to road trip standard:
- Check your brake pads, as well as your brake, steering and clutch fluids.
- Check your tyres for wear or damage, and make sure they’re reading the appropriate air pressure.
- Check your radiator and coolant levels, as well as the water in your window washer.
- Make sure all of your car’s lights and electrics work properly - especially so if you are going to be driving at night.
Stock your car with the essentials
First and foremost, make sure that everyone has enough to drink - long journeys spent sitting in a car can be surprisingly dehydrating, especially with air conditioning cranked up to the max. Be sure to bring enough snacks and food for your trip. Although a hot servo pie is mandatory. Pick out a great playlist and be sure to preload some songs in case you lose data on your streaming device. If you’re bringing the kids along, remember to give them some entertainment so you can keep your focus on the road.
Stop, stretch and rest regularly
Try not to drive for long periods at a time. It might seem like a waste of time to stop every hour for a rest and a quick stretch, but it could mean the difference between life and death. Tired drivers make for a very real danger on our roads, so be sure you have a good night’s sleep before you head off, and you take regular breaks - especially if you are feeling weary.
Bathurst Essentials
If you are planning on staying at Mount Panorama for the Great Race or you want to be properly prepared for your race-day visits, then there are a few must-haves that you absolutely, well, must have!
Somewhere to sleep
While it might be a hard thing to do with all the excitement around the event, you are going to need somewhere to sleep. If you are camping on the mountain, then a simple swag will do, but a roof or awning mounted unit for your 4x4, or a dedicated camping vehicle can’t be beaten. Get in and set up your camp early on, so you have more time to get out and about and enjoy the trackside attractions and the race itself.
Somewhere to sit
Not just a campsite item, a good, comfy chair is an essential trackside item. For that reason, make sure that comfort and style make way for portability. Grab a folding chair with a carry bag to give you the ultimate in flexible seating.
Something to hold your drink
Things can get pretty hot when you’re trackside, and even back at camp, so make sure you have something to keep your beverages cool. Besides a stubby holder for the one in your hand, an esky or a thermal bag can be just the thing you need to stash your drinks and keep them crisp and refreshing even in the sunniest weather - which we can’t guarantee will actually be sunny.
Something to keep you warm and dry
For that reason, you should prepare for rain too. Grab yourself a waterproof poncho, an SCA umbrella or a raincoat to keep yourself dry. A team or sponsor branded windbreaker or a racing jacket can keep the cold at bay in the evenings or on the less pleasant days, and will help you be the envy of your mates - don’t just stay warm and snug, but do it in style!
Something to keep the sun off you
But this is Australia, so it will be sunny! So NEVER head out without your sunblock (of an appropriately high grade) some sunglasses, and a hat. Sunburn and skin cancer is a risk even when the sun is behind cloud cover, so be sure to apply your sunblock regularly throughout the day, no matter the weather.
Some extra cash
It’s not just about what you bring to the Great Race, but the cool memorabilia and awesome merch that’s available to grab on the day. Be sure to check out the Supercheap Auto Track Store for great deals on anything and everything that you could ever need on race day - as well as a whole lot more to take away with you when you head back home afterwards. Take advantage of your SCA Club Plus membership to get express entry, better seating, exclusive deals, and to get the chance to win some amazing prizes at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. If you aren’t already an SCA club member, then now is the perfect time to join up. With a Club Plus membership, not only can you make your Bathurst 1000 experience that much better, you can expect exclusive discounts, deals and promotions all year round!
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