HISTORY will be made at Mount Panorama this weekend when an electric sports car takes part in the Bathurst Light Car Club’s annual speed weekend.
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A Supersprint and Mountain Straight Hillclimb will attract drivers from across New South Wales and interstate, but it is a member of the host club who will likely hold most interest.
The atmosphere surrounding David Catt will literally be electric.
“This year the Bathurst Light Car Club has received an incredibly special entry that is set to make automotive history in Australia,” Bathurst Light Car Club publicity officer Aden Hadley said.
“David Catt, a veteran Bathurst Light Car Club competitor, has managed to secure the use of a brand new Tesla P85D full electric luxury sports car, thus securing the debut of a full electric road going sports car in Australian motor sport
“It is something the history books will look back on for many years to come.”
While electric cars carry with them a stigma of being slow and under powered, Aden said that was not the case with the Tesla.
He believes Catt has the potential to be near the top of the time sheets and not just because electric motors give cars instant torque, creating strong and smooth acceleration.
“The newly released Tesla is quickly demolishing records around the world with phenomenal acceleration figures of zero to 100 kilometres an hour in 3.0 seconds and the standing quarter mile in 11.8 seconds,” Hadley said.
“[That’s] Ferrari and Lamborghini territory – the performance figures are staggering.
“The Tesla became an internet sensation in Australia a number of weeks ago when Wheels magazine lined a P85D up alongside Tim Slade in his V8 Supercar and managed to overhaul the million dollar race car in a drag race.
“This amazing feat with a luxury road car, in full road trim using only electric power, made Australian automotive enthusiasts stand up and take note, so this vehicle will definitely be a spectacle to behold.”
Catt’s entry forms part of a full 80-car field which will race over the two days at Mount Panorama.
“The event is proving to be more popular every year,” Hadley said.
Tomorrow will see the Supersprint being staged, with the Mountain Straight Hillclimb to follow on Sunday. Racing will start at 9.30am and given spectator entry is free, Hadley is encouraging the public to come along and take in the racing action.
“Saturday’s Supersprint will see two cars at a time race down Conrod Straight, through The Chase and Murray’s Corner and onto Pit Straight,” he said.
“Sunday’s Mountain Straight Hillclimb will see one car at a time race against the clock from Mountain Straight up and along Reid Park and finishing at McPhillamy Park, providing spectacular viewing across the top of the mountain.
“A huge variation of competition vehicles are entered, with anything from standard road-going cars to custom-built open- wheeled race cars, modified road cars and impressive time attack cars.”
For more information as a competitor or volunteer, visit www.bathurstlightcar club.com.au and feel free to contact any of the committee members by phone or email. Both are available on the website.