A BUMPER grid is assured when the 2016 Bathurst 6 Hour makes its debut at the Bathurst Motor Festival next Easter. 

In total 50 entries across eight different classes have been received by organisers at the time of the ‘early bird’ entry offer closing, though final entries do not need to be submitted by until February 28 next year, allowing plenty of time for the grid to grow further.

The entry list reads as a who’s who of Australian Production Car racing from both the NSW Production Touring Car series and the Australian Manufacturers-Production Car Championship.

It points to a strong kick-off for the new Bathurst enduro.

The massive field is set to provide an enthralling spectacle for fans and a great race for competitors, with a grid that goes back to Bathurst’s history of providing big fields of production-based cars and multi-class racing.

“We are very pleased with the early reception to the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour and the number of entries received to date is above our initial expectations,” event director James O’Brien said.

“The size of the grid already points to a sensational race and proves that there is a place for a race of this nature in the Australian motor sport landscape.

“We expect the field to grow further as entries don’t close until the end of February next year, so there is still plenty of time for people sitting on the fence to get their entry in and become part of what is set to be an amazing grid.”

Strong competition is expected throughout the deep field, with a wide spread of vehicles catering to all kinds of motoring fans.

In total 17 entries have been received for the outright A1/A2 classes catering for extreme performance cars, both turbocharged and normally aspirated.

Two cars each from CXC Global Racing, Melbourne Performance Centre and Jim Pollicina’s Poll Performance outfit will help tip the ledger in favour of Mitsubishi’s popular Lancer Evolution.

However, former Formula Vee and Sports Racer national champion Adam Proctor will be hoping for a strong run from his new Subaru Impreza WRX STi.

BMW fans have strong entries from Beric Lynton and Kyntire Racing (BMW 1Ms) plus the Searle family outfit (M135i).

The normally aspirated class features a host of HSV Commodore models with their big V8 engines set to stretch their legs up and down Mount Panorama’s long straights.

Class B1 and B2, for high performance cars both turbocharged or normally aspirated, includes a diverse mix of entries including Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo, a range of different BMW models and plenty of Australian muscle.

Class C (Performance) includes cars like Rick Shaw’s Mazda RX-8, a host of Renault Megane entries and several BMWs.

A strong 10-car entry has been received for Class D (Production) made up primarily of a host of Toyota’s incredibly popular rear-drive ‘86’ sports car – six of that model having been entered. 

Class E has received two entries while the Invitational class  for the six hour includes three AU Ford Falcons.