Such is the support for the Easter Celebration of Motor Sport that hundreds of entries came flooding in within weeks of being opened.

Bathurst Regional Council has already been presented with a six figure sum by the organisers of the event for the hire of the famous circuit.

Event director Charles Jardine said council has been very keen to see the event go ahead because it adds to the mix of events at the iconic circuit.

He said 400 entries were received from competitors in the first two weeks after they opened. Close to 1000 expressions of interest were also received.

“The response was unbelievable,” he said. “Quite amazing.”

The Celebration of Motor Sport is expected to bring many thousands of dollars into the local economy as organisers go out of their way to ensure the money generated by the event stays in Bathurst.

The race meeting, to be held from March 21–23, will feature club motor racing by historic sports and touring cars and improved production cars.

“The events will be quite different to the Bathurst 1000 because it’s club motor racing,” Mr Jardine said.

“We are all amateurs. There are no professionals, just people who love cars.”

Mr Jardine said there will be 35 to 40 races over the three days with a master class on the Friday.

Local car buffs are being offered the opportunity to become event officials.

Vice President of Festival of Sporting Cars (FOSC), Dave Nichols, said 140 officials are needed for the three day event.

“It’s my dream to find all those people here in Bathurst,” he said.

“The officials will definitely have the best view on the circuit.

“I can guarantee one thing – they are going to have fun.”

Mr Nichols said the Friday will be a training day for officials. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day, along with cool drinks throughout.

The organisers also encourage the drivers and officials to mix each evening at the end-of-day parties.