Bathurst 1000

Bathurst 1000
Name	Bathurst 1000
Country	Australia
Location	Mount Panorama Circuit, Bathurst, New South Wales
First race	1960
Distance	1000 km
Laps	161
Most wins	Peter Brock (9)

Bathurst 1000. The Bathurst 1000 is a prestigious Australian motor racing event held annually at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, featuring Supercars Championship competitors like Jamie Whincup, Craig Lowndes, and Mark Winterbottom. The event has a rich history, with notable winners including Allan Moffat, Dick Johnson, and Larry Perkins, and is considered one of the most iconic events in Australian motorsport, alongside the Australian Grand Prix and the Gold Coast 600. The Bathurst 1000 has been broadcast on various networks, including Channel 7, Channel 10, and Fox Sports (Australia), and has been covered by prominent motorsport journalists like Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife.

History of the Bathurst 1000

The Bathurst 1000 has its roots in the Armstrong 500, which was first held in 1960 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and later moved to the Mount Panorama Circuit in 1963, with winners including Bob Jane and Harry Firth. The event was initially a 500-mile race, but was later extended to 1000 km in 1973, with notable competitors including Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, and Colin Bond. Over the years, the Bathurst 1000 has been won by a range of drivers, including Dick Johnson, John Bowe, and Steven Richards, and has been contested by various Supercars Championship teams, such as Triple Eight Race Engineering, DJR Team Penske, and Walkinshaw Andretti United. The event has also been influenced by other notable motorsport events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indianapolis 500, and the Daytona 500, and has been covered by prominent motorsport media outlets, including Autosport, Motorsport News, and Speedcafe.

The Circuit

The Mount Panorama Circuit is a 6.213 km track that features a range of challenging corners and straights, including the famous Forrest's Elbow and The Dipper, and has been praised by drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Fernando Alonso for its unique layout and scenic views. The circuit is located in the city of Bathurst, New South Wales, and is surrounded by the Blue Mountains, making it a popular destination for motorsport fans and tourists alike, with nearby attractions including the Bathurst Regional Council, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, and the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. The circuit has undergone several changes over the years, including the addition of new pit lane facilities and the resurfacing of the track, with input from notable motorsport figures like Ron Walker, Garry Connelly, and Cameron McConville.

Racing Format

The Bathurst 1000 is a 1000 km endurance race that features a range of Supercars Championship competitors, including Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore drivers like Chaz Mostert, Shane van Gisbergen, and Scott McLaughlin. The event typically features a qualifying session on the Friday before the race, followed by a top 10 shootout on the Saturday, with the race itself taking place on the Sunday, and has been influenced by other notable motorsport events, including the Bathurst 12 Hour, the Australian GT Championship, and the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The race is typically contested by two drivers per car, with a range of driver changes and pit stops taking place throughout the event, and has been covered by prominent motorsport commentators like Mark Webber, Alan Jones, and Daryl Beattie.

Winners

The Bathurst 1000 has been won by a range of drivers over the years, including Peter Brock, Allan Moffat, and Dick Johnson, who have all been inducted into the Australian Motorsport Hall of Fame, alongside other notable motorsport figures like Sir Jack Brabham, Frank Matich, and Lex Davison. Other notable winners include John Bowe, Steven Richards, and Craig Lowndes, who have all won the event multiple times, and have been recognized with awards like the Barry Sheene Medal and the Australian Touring Car Championship trophy. The event has also been won by a range of Supercars Championship teams, including Triple Eight Race Engineering, DJR Team Penske, and Walkinshaw Andretti United, which have all been successful in other motorsport events, including the Australian Grand Prix and the Gold Coast 600.

Safety and Incidents

The Bathurst 1000 has a strong focus on safety, with a range of measures in place to protect drivers and spectators, including the use of safety cars, crash barriers, and medical response teams, which have been developed in consultation with notable motorsport safety experts like Professor Sid Watkins and Dr. Steve Olvey. Despite these measures, the event has been marred by a number of incidents over the years, including crashes and fires, which have been investigated by organizations like the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. The event has also been affected by weather conditions, including rain and fog, which have been monitored by meteorological organizations like the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the National Weather Service.

Media Coverage

The Bathurst 1000 has been broadcast on a range of television networks over the years, including Channel 7, Channel 10, and Fox Sports (Australia), which have all provided extensive coverage of the event, including live commentary and highlight packages, with input from notable motorsport commentators like Neil Crompton, Mark Skaife, and Greg Rust. The event has also been covered by a range of print media outlets, including Autosport, Motorsport News, and Speedcafe, which have all provided in-depth analysis and reporting on the event, and have been recognized with awards like the Australian Sports Commission media award and the V8 Supercars Media Award. The Bathurst 1000 has a strong online presence, with a range of social media channels and websites providing updates and news on the event, including the official Supercars Championship website and the Bathurst 1000 Facebook page, which have been managed by organizations like Supercars Media and NBN Television.

Category:Motorsport events in Australia