IT’S been decades since motorsport fans have seen anything like the multi-million dollar upgrades being carried out at Mount Panorama.
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Pit Straight is looking rather bare following the removal of the safety fencing on the spectator side of the track.
More than 600 metres of concrete barriers and debris fencing will soon be installed, and the actual track will be widened.
The upgrades have come as Bathurst Regional Council moves to make the iconic track safer for race fans.
The work is being fast-tracked to ensure the improvements are completed in time for this year’s Great Race in early October.
There are also big plans to reseal the specialist asphalt surface at the circuit at a cost of $2 million, though that won’t get underway until the V8 Supercars extravaganza – to be held on October 10-13 – is over.
Most of the controversy associated with the development is the advent of the debris fencing, which some fans believe will ruin their viewing opportunities.
City engineer Doug Patterson said the initiative follows recommendations from the Federation Internationale d L’Automobile (FIA) and the Confederation of Australian Motorsport.
FIA officials visit the track every three years, along with CAMS representatives.
Mr Patterson said the circuit’s latest report card from CAMS, received last year, noted the debris fencing was a priority in the interests of public safety.
Bathurst councillor Warren Aubin said the work was crucial to ensure Mount Panorama remained an iconic venue.
“You can’t put a price on safety,” Cr Aubin said.
“This work will widen Pit Straight by a couple of metres and replace the rusty old fence with a concrete barrier.
“The debris fence will then run along the length of the straight.
“The thing is, if we don’t do the work, we don’t get to run the event.”
Cr Aubin said the lie of the land means spectators shouldn’t be unduly inconvenienced.
“Debris fences stop tyres and other pieces of machinery flying into the crowd if they come loose in an accident,” he said.
“It’s especially important now we have Formula 3 cars running at the Mount; while the new breed of GT cars coming over from Europe are getting faster and faster.”
