DRIVE BATHURST NEWS

Drive Bathurst 2008 Promotional Video

David Jellins — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:06:58 GMT

Soundtrack by ERRATIC

2008 Provisional Entry List Released

David Jellins — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:32:55 GMT

The Drive Bathurst 2008 Provisional Entry List has now been released and is available here:

=> http://www.drivebathurst.com/pdf/DB08ProvEntryList.pdf

2007 sprintBathurst Class Winners Announced

David Jellins — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:21:19 GMT

The outright winner for the inaugural sprintBathurst 2007 is Anthony Kosseris in his Porsche 996 GT3 Cup Car.

Anthony is a member of the Porsche Club NSW and is looking forward to competing in the Australian GT Championship in 2008.

Other class winners include:

Phillip Holzberger
Porsche 996 Turbo

Phil Hart
Porsche 996 GT3

Andrew Macpherson
Lotus Exige S

Barrie Smith
Mitsubishi Evo IX

Kevin Hall
Subaru STi VI

Russell Barwick
BMW E36 M3

Bob Hamilton
BMW M3R

The full listing of class results can be downloaded here.

New Trackcorp event boosts local economy

David Jellins — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:25:59 GMT

The inaugural Drive Bathurst and Sprint Bathurst events maybe the quiet achievers of events at the Mount Panorama circuit this year but are making a major impact on the city’s pre-christmas economy.

By major event standards at Mount Panorama the Drive Bathurst and Sprint Bathurst events have made a minimal imprint on the circuit with no big crowds of spectators only a small and enthusiastic band of club motor sport competitors. Participants representing individual clubs and major corporates from around Australia are bringing significant benefits to the Region.

“This is a great event for Bathurst with participants here from around Australia and New Zealand who are jumping at the chance to drive, under instruction, around the world famous circuit,” Cr Mann said.

“Competitors are being hosted in the city for the week and making a significant contribution to the local economy through accommodation and food and beverage sales.”

Over the five day event, 96 participants in each category are taking part where participants get a chance to test their driving skills against the mighty circuit.

With seven times Bathurst winner Jim Richards endorsing the event as an instructor, Cr Mann said it can only grow from strength to strength.

“Local caterers are on-track serving some of the Region’s best produce to the guests providing a great opportunity to showcase the quality local food industry.”

Cr Mann said event promotors TRACKCORP PTY LTD are to be congratulated for bringing the event to Bathurst.

“The enthusiasm of participants from this first year is a very encouraging sign for the future of this event and Council looks forward to working with TRACKCORP PTY LTD, local residents and the local business community to see the event grow,” he said.

CAMS approves Drive Bathurst 2007

David Jellins — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:42:34 GMT

It is with great pleasure that we announce today that our 5 day DRIVE BATHURST 2007 event to be held 12-16 December has been approved by CAMS.

Please see the attached media release.

"Drivers speed towards Bathurst"

David Jellins — Sun, 04 May 2008 09:19:28 GMT

Paul Gover

September 14, 2007 12:00am

ANYONE with a serious car, serious cash and a serious need for speed should be at Bathurst in December.

Mount Panorama will be open to regular punters who want to test themselves and their cars against the biggest challenge in Australia.

Bathurst usually is open only to serious racers for the V8 Supercar classic in October and the production-based 12-hour meeting early in the year, but a promoter has won extra access and is organising a weekend with the promise of real driving and an unbeatable challenge.

David Jellins says Trackcorp has put together a package that is built around maximum track time from December 12 to 16 and is in a similar format to a car club sprint.

"The aim of the event is to give experienced club competitors and motor-sport enthusiasts the opportunity to receive expert instruction from race champions, then drive on the full Mount Panorama circuit," he says.

"The event will have two categories: driveBathurst and sprintBathurst. DriveBathurst is an untimed non-competitive event and sprintBathurst is a timed competition. Eligible competitors may enter either or both."

The invitation-only Bathurst blast is from $2975 for early-bird sign-ups for driveBathurst, but it is the first time in recent memory that Mount Panorama has been open for this type of event.

And there are plenty of bonuses, including a chance to buy hot laps with Jim Richards in his Porsche 911 GT3 racer.

www.drivebathurst.com

Read the full Herald Sun story here.

"Easy Payment" Entry Option Closing 31 August

David Jellins — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:43:28 GMT

A reminder that there are just 10 days remaining to take advantage of the "Easy Payment" entry fee option. "Easy Payment" includes a saving of 7.5% and gives you the flexibility to spread your entry fee across several monthly instalments.

To qualify for the "Easy Payment" discount your application form and deposit must be received by 31 August 2007. The 2nd instalment for the "Easy Payment" entry fee is due by Tuesday 25th September 2007.

Hot Laps with Jim Richards Now On Sale!!!

David Jellins — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:13:21 GMT

Hot Laps with Jim Richards on the full Mount Panorama Circuit are now on sale.

Experience the ride of a lifetime across the Mountain in the passenger seat of a Porsche Race Car driven by "The Master" himself, Jim Richards. Jim Richards first competed at Bathurst in 1974 and holds the record for the most successive starts. Jim's knowledge of the circuit is formidable and he has won the great race an incredible 7 times!!!

1978 - with Peter Brock in a Holden Torana LX A9X
1979 - with Peter Brock in a Holden Torana LX A9X
1980 - with Peter Brock in a Holden Commodore VC
1991 - with Mark Skaife in a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
1992 - with Mark Skaife in a Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
1998 - with Rickard Rydell in a Volvo S40
2002 - with Mark Skaife in a Holden Commodore VX

Places are STRICTLY LIMITED so act now and reserve yours here.

Peter Fitzgerald joins the team at Drive Bathurst 2007

David Jellins — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 18:14:03 GMT

We are delighted to announce that highly regarded racer Peter Fitzgerald has joined the instructors’ team for Drive Bathurst 2007. A veteran and legend of Porsche motorsport in Australia, Peter has an impressive career spanning 30 years and 500 events, with top three finishes in 75% of the events contested.

He has three Australian Championships to his credit – the 1987, 1989 and 1997 GT Production Championships, and was runner-up on five other occasions. His racing resume also includes seven entries in Targa Tasmania, with four overall podiums, including outright wins in Classic in 1998 and Modern in 1999.

Peter is no stranger to Mount Panorama having competed there many times - he was 4th outright in the 1000 in 1991 in partnership with the late Denny Hulme, victorious in the 3 Hour GT Production Enduro in 1998, and 3rd in the 2003 24 Hour Race.

Fitzy is a welcome addition to the team of respected champions already signed up to instruct at Drive Bathurst 2007 - Alex Davison, Matthew Hunt, Warren Luff, Barton Mawer, David Reynolds and David Wall.

Did you know...

David Jellins — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:28:53 GMT

Mount Panorama Circuit is 6.213 kilometres in length, 874 metres above sea level with grades of up to 1:6.13. The circuit is a public road for the majority of the year and as such regular road rules apply, including 2-way traffic and a 60 km/h speed limit. It is 174 metres from the bottom of the circuit (Pit Straight) to the top of Skyline "as the crow flies". The race direction is anti-clockwise.