THERE could be thunder on the track and in the skies over Mount Panorama as 50 cars from across the globe enter the final stages of tomorrow’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
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Thousands of motor racing fans have again descended on Mount Panorama to see drivers from 17 nationalities take to the track for what organiser’s are tipping as one of the biggest 12 Hour races yet.
Yesterday’s practice sessions gave an early preview of what was to come, with the top five cars in the first session separated by just 0.89 of a second.
But with late thunderstorms predicted in Bathurst tomorrow, the weather could have an impact on both the racing and the crowd numbers on the Mount.
Event director James O’Brien said fans had already started to assemble at the Mount but he was hoping today would bring in the big numbers.
“The campers are pretty well set up and there’s a lot more of them here than last year, we’ve had to extend the paddock to create around another 100 camp spots to cater for the extra demand,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said presale ticket figures were looking very healthy.
“Of course we are always at the mercy of the weather for crowd numbers but if the blue skies of today continue we will be in for a huge weekend,” he said.
Bathurst Visitor Information Centre tourism manager Felicity Baines said accommodation had been extremely tight in the last few days.
“There’s not a great deal left now and the city’s accommodation venues are looking pretty full up for this weekend,” she said yesterday.
Ms Baines said commercial venues seemed to be able to handle the demands of the 12 Hour this year and home hire hasn’t been required but it will probably have to be called in for next year’s event.
The Western Advocate will be on track all weekend to bring you the latest race updates.
CLICK HERE for live coverage of the event during the weekend.
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