The Bathurst 6 Hour was run for the third time over the weekend, with BMW remaining the only manufacturer to claim first in the endurance race. 

After some tough final laps, Grant and Iain Sherrin took out first after completing 109 laps. 

Second and third place changed several times, but Brett Strom and the BMW he drove with Daren Jorgensen triumphed over Steven Johnson, Rob Woods and Marcel Zalloua’s Mercedes-Benz.

There was a lot of action on the track, and that action may drive crowds in future years. 

Mayor Graeme Hanger said attendance, on par with last year, had been excellent.

“The number of people in the paddock area and the number of visitors here is just outstanding,” he said. 

“Some of the support categories have gone home, they’ve had their races and they’ve been here for two days and they’ve gone home and they’ll probably be watching this on Fox Sports.” 

In addition to the spectators, Cr Hanger said there were more campers this year. 

Overall, he said it was a day of “good racing” and there would be more like it to come in the future. 

“It’s getting bigger all the time and thanks to Hi-Tec Oils and Yeehaw Events, it just gets bigger and bigger all the time and we’re really excited about it.” 

Event director James O’Brien said it had been another successful event at the mountain. 

“It is only the third edition of this race and we’ve had big fields at each year and the quality of the field is getting better, in terms of newer model cars coming into the race, a high standard of driver, so I think it is growing nicely,” he said. 

The 6 Hour is the most accessible endurance race at Mount Panorama, allowing all kinds of teams to compete. 

This year saw amateur drivers compete against big names in Australian motor sport, including Supercars drivers Chaz Mostert and Tim Slade. 

Mr O’Brien said there is potential for the event to grow and improve. 

“Certainly we hope to grow it, but we’re realistic about what it is. It is the third endurance event up at the mountain, it’s the smallest, the most accessible to teams, so it’s got a strong future,” he said.

“It is sustainable in its current format.”

This year’s 6 Hour marked the 80^th year of racing at Mount Panorama, with the first event held over Easter in 1938. 

The 6 Hour is set to return to Mount Panorama again for Easter 2019, with the big race falling on April 21.