Each year, the Bathurst 12 Hour brings a fair amount of dedicated race fans to Mount Panorama for a quality weekend of racing and recreation.
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For some fans, the experience encourages the formation of social groups that champion the spirit of friendship and promotes the joy of a fun weekend away.
Fort Droopy have been attending the Bathurst 12 Hour as a group since 2014, and pride themselves on the shared love of motor racing and sharing a beverage with mates.
“We started off as a smaller group, but as the 12 Hour has grown, we have as well,” Fort Droopy co-founder Paul Deegan said.
“This year, we’ve got nearly 20 blokes with us.”
Fort Droopy includes group members from right across Australia, and Mr Deegan said the name is symbolic of the fact that the group doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
“One of our cousins was given the nickname ‘Droopy’ because he’s a lovable larrikin with a heart of gold,” he said.
“From there, the Fort Droopy name stuck, and it reflects the fact that we’re here to have a laugh.”
According to Mr Deegan, a key positive of the Bathurst 12 Hour is how effectively it incorporates fans into the event.
“It’s not like the Formula One or the V8’s where you’re on the outside looking in, they make you feel like part of the event,” he said.
“You can wander up and down Pit Lane talking to all the drivers and teams, and it certainty makes you feel more involved in the action.”
In comparison to the Bathurst 1000, Mr Deegan said the 12 Hour brings a completely breed of motor racing fan to the 12 Hour.
“It’s friendlier, more communal and so much easier to get around,” he said.
“There’s blokes in Fort Droopy who have joined the group after camping next door to us at previous events.”
With this year serving as Fort Droopy’s sixth appearance at the Bathurst 12 Hour, the group are hoping for a nice clean race after a premature end to the 2018 event.
“From a sentimental viewpoint, we’d like to see a Bentley win, as we reckon they’re due,” Mr Deegan said.
“However, we’re hoping Whincup doesn’t win.”