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View Full Version : Australian petrolheads make annual pilgrimage to Mount Panorama



Glass
9th October 2010, 05:57 AM
Yes it's time again for the annual pilgrimage of Aussie motorsport fans to the mecca of motorsport down under; the annual Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama in New South Wales.

This annual race is the peak event of the V8 Supercar racing season down under and sees huge crowds of V8 racing fans flock to the most revered racing venue in Australia for 3 days of incredible racing excitment. Crowds begin decending on Mount Panorama up to a week before the main event, camping out in the paddocks and hills sides surrounding the 6.2 kilometre race track that includes some of the steepest decents and fastest straight aways of any racing circuit in the world. Speeds can exceed 300 kilometres per hour down Conrod Straight, at the end of each lap.

The Bathurst track has a long history with motor racing and in earlier years this most famous of Australian motor races included cars from many brands and multiple classes including 2 litre touring cars but always the mighty V8's were there racing at the top of the pecking order. These days just one class two brands dominate the racing, being V8s from Ford and Holden (General Motors).

Australian motor sports fans are divided along the lines of the Blue Oval (Ford) and the Mighty Lion (Red - GM Holden). For racing fans it's very simple, you're either Ford or your Holden and the rivalry runs deep into Australian suburbia. So much so that you are born one or the other and changing brands is enough to get you disowned by your family and friends.

Tomorrow is the day motor sport fans wait for each year, to see who will be crowned King of the Mountain at Mount Panorama. The 1000 kilometres or 600 plus miles of racing is the major enduro race of the season and is the most prized trophy of the year. It takes around 6 hours to complete the race and each car has 2 drivers who take turns at the wheel during this demanding race.

Across the country esky's are filled with beer, bbqs are fired up and friends gather in front of the TV to watch as Australia's best racing drivers battle it out for the ultimate prize.

So you know what I'll be doing tomorrow. The race starts fairly early for us west coasters. Bathurst is on the east coast. I'll be getting my yearly fix of Mountain fever. If you're lucky you might be able to find a copy of this amazing race to watch in a week or so. If you like motor sport like me, do yourself a favour and check it out. I guarantee you'll be amazed by this race.

ok. just a bit of fun. I love this race. I remember getting up early as a kid and watching this race until late in the afternoon. These days the cars are much faster so the race doesn't take quite as long as it used to. Can't wait for tomorrow. ;D

loky
10th October 2010, 04:33 AM
Lol as a aussie its fun to watch i saw a massive crash on the first lap with is always interesting..And holden won

Glass
10th October 2010, 04:45 AM
ha, after my big build up I couldn't get my TV to work for nearly 2 hours after the broadcast started. I expect the first half hour was just chin wagging. So I still haven't seen the crash. Then I had to go out so I put it on record and the recording finished 4 laps from the end. Typical.

Anyway I enjoyed what I saw and I know Lowndsie and Skafie won so thats cool. Holden 1 and 2. First time one team has one 1, 2 since 1977.

Good to seek you on the forum there loky.
Cheers

Glass
5th April 2011, 11:06 PM
The Formula 1 was down under a couple of weeks ago and while the circus was in town Jenson Button took his F1 car for lap around Bathurst.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=x4XVF3jJL5Q

Just a little bit of speed for those with the need.....

Serpo
5th April 2011, 11:22 PM
Im a diesel head now as my diesel peugeot does twice as many Ks(miles) as my holdens and fords ever did per tank and for that reason I love it.

Welcome aboard loky

Glass
24th September 2012, 09:11 PM
Well it's that time of the year again....almost. < 2 weeks to go. I cannot belive that a year has passed. In 2 weekends from now is the annual pilgrimage to the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar enduro race in Australia. Thats 1000 Kilometres over 161 laps of the Mount Panorama race track. Apart from being the mecca of Australian motorsport, it is also one of the longer race tracks in use around the world.

One of the more interesting parts of the track is the big dipper which is a lot like the corkscrew at Laguna Seca. This is followed by Conrod Straight, an almost 300kmh stretch of track down the mountain and into the main circuit straight away.

This is likely to be the last time this race is run as a 2 brand/marque event. Ford Vs Holden/GM. Next year we will probably have another brand and possibly 2 involved. Mercedes is going to power a 2 car team although it will not be a factory team. Mercedes has made it clear their cars won't race in any pleb type competitions such as V8 Supercars or Nascar.

Qualifying and support races most of Saturday plus 6+ hours racing on Sunday. Wooo 'kin wooo.

Watch out for Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom (frosty) and Garth Tander. These guys dominate this race.

Check the TV guides there in the USA. I think it was live or delayed maybe 24 hours last year.

Also, exciting news. Next year the V8 Supercars are going to Texas USA. So if you are in that part of the world and like real racing cars (V8 Supercars and Nascar - poke needle poke) then get on down to Texas and take a look. The race will be at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. There will be 2 x 200kilometre races. 1 on Friday and 1 on Saturday.

Dates not confirmed as yet. We should know more in the next couple weeks. Around May is what everyone is expecting.

So who's it going to be this year? Will we bow down to the Blue Oval or will the General Roar again in 2012? Can't wait. As Big Kev used to say, "I'm Excited!"

Glass
11th October 2014, 02:08 AM
2 years gone by? Amazing. I don't think I got a chance to watch it all last year. I think I watched maybe the last hour and half. This year I'll see some but not all. New car design last year. This is second year with the new standardized chassis platform. Track has a new surface. More grip. Laps are faster but not in the straight always. Cornering is where it's at. Still amazing to watch them run down Conrod straight.

Top 10 shootout on now.

Glass
15th October 2014, 06:25 PM
This race was epic. It had all of the drama's that make a great race. I've watched this race for 40 years and I remember that you would always get one amazing or really unexpected incident. This race seemed to have all of the good bits from the past 40 years rolled up into one.

The race leader ran out of fuel with 2 miles to go and rolled over the line in 5th. Another car was rolled over. Kangaroos on the track. I don't know if anyone hit one. Champions making rookie mistakes. Guys who have never one it but have been trying for 10, 15 or 20 years and to see one guy who was so so close to getting on the and it was all gone in a blink. I didn't realise he has won Bathurst twice. I thought he was still trying for the 1st one.

It was so good I watched it twice. More than 6 hours of stunning racing. If anyone sees it on their tv guide take a look.

Glass
9th October 2015, 04:22 PM
On for another year. Race is Sunday our time.

Small accident from time trials yesterday. Slo mo, in car and full speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GXRy5zhefA