PLANS to bring Formula 1 star Jenson Button to Bathurst’s iconic Mount Panorama have moved a step closer after Bathurst Regional Council gave the proposal the green light on Wednesday.
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Button and V8 Supercars champion Craig Lowndes are set to swap cars as each driver completes five laps of the Mountain – including three laps at speed – during the planned promotion on Tuesday, March 22.
Final approval is still required from motorsport’s governing body CAMS, but organisers are hopeful that approval will be granted in the coming week.
Thousands of motor racing fans – and motor racing media – are expected to flock to Bathurst for the priceless publicity stunt.
Lowndes will take the wheel of Button’s Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26 Formula 1 while Button will pilot Lowndes’ V8 VE2 Commodore around the circuit.
Mayor Paul Toole could not hide his excitement yesterday.
“This is fantastic news for Bathurst and we are thrilled that everyone has been able to work together to make it happen in such a short period of time,” he said.
“Mount Panorama is one of the world’s premier racing circuits and Formula 1 is the planet’s premier motor racing category so this event will provide huge exposure for our region.”
Vodafone’s King of the Mountain Drivers Swap has been timed as part of the lead up to this year’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday, March 27.
