For the first time in 15 years additional manufacturers are set to make their mark as they return to Mount Panorama. Experience a new era of Australian motorsport as Nissan and Erebus Motorsport join Ford and Holden to battle it out at the ultimate endurance race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The Bathurst 1000 (currently called the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000) is a 1,000-kilometre (620 mi) touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The race was traditionally run on the first Sunday in October but is now held on the second Sunday.
V8 SUPERCAR star Craig Lowndes says finally winning the Bathurst 1000 alongside fellow great Mark Skaife is the realisation of a dream.
The race traces its lineage to the 1960 Armstrong 500. Since then 52 races have taken place under the combined history of two events at two venues in two states. It is known among fans and broadcasters as "The Great Race", and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Australian motorsport. Since 2000, the race has been run exclusively for V8 Supercars and is now a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Every year the crowds gather to cheer on their heroes, and another driver becomes “king of the mountain” for a day
Mount Panorama Circuit
The race starts and finishes at different points in front of the pits. The first turn, Hell Corner, is a left-hander which has claimed a few scalps at the start (due to 'crush') and after safety car intervention. Mountain Straight, a 255 km/h (158 mph) gentle climb, leads into Griffin's Bend. Reid Park follows, a complex corner where many drivers spin after not shortshifting in the apex. The course continues down to Sulman Park and McPhillamy. Drivers cannot see the descending road but at 220 km/h (140 mph) enter Skyline and the Dipper, one of the best corners in Australian Motorsport. Cars then negotiate Forrest Elbow, the slowest part of the track, before powering down Conrod Straight, which at plus 300 km/h (190 mph) is the fastest section of the track. The Chase is a long sweeping type chicane where cars are on the limiter and at the same time braking to exit at 130 km/h (81 mph). Murrays is the 17th and final turn, on to the start/finish straight.
Multiple race winnersWins Driver
9 Wins Peter Brock
7- Jim Richards
6- Larry Perkins
Mark Skaife
5- Craig Lowndes
4- Bob Jane
Harry Firth
Allan Moffat
Greg Murphy
Jamie Whincup
3- Dick Johnson
Garth Tander
2- John Goss
Allan Grice
John Bowe
Russell Ingall
Steven Richards
Tony Longhurst
Rick Kelly
