IT is thought that the Bathurst 6 Hour will grow to reach the same level of success as the Bathurst 12 Hour.
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The Australian Racing Group (ARG) announced last week that it had acquired a 50 per cent share in the motor sport event, taking over from James O'Brien and his company, Yeehah Events.
Two of the people behind ARG, James Warburton and Matt Braid, worked for Supercars when it took over the 12 Hour from Mr O'Brien and were key figures in its development.
Councillor Warren Aubin said that, now ARG has the 6 Hour, the event would only go from strength to strength.
"I have no doubt. James O'Brien started the 6 Hour race at Easter as he did with the 12 Hour. We look at the 12 Hour race and it has grown fantastically. It does so much for the town," he said.
"I see the same thing happening at Easter. Promoters don't take on these events if they don't think they'll make money out of it."
The 6 Hour is expected to go ahead relatively unchanged in 2020, but beyond that, Cr Aubin expects ARG will put their mark on the event.
"I reckon it's fantastic, the fact that they're looking at bringing some extra categories, making it more exciting," he said.
"There's going to be some pretty good racing on, as well as the 6 Hour."
With the event expected to grow, it will lead to greater economic opportunities for Bathurst and the Central West.
Cr Aubin said that the city's food and accommodation providers would reap the benefits, but other attractions also had the opportunity to gain from the extra traffic.
He added that tourists could take advantage of the Visit Bathurst website to find things to do and make a timetable for their visit.
The 2020 Bathurst 6 Hour will be held from April 10 to 12 at Mount Panorama.
Completely separate to the 6 Hour, ARG is also in contention, alongside Supercars, to host a potential fifth major motor sport event at Mount Panorama.
Cr Aubin said the change in ownership won't have any impact on the final decision.
"We haven't seen them in action and we won't see them in action until next year. We've got to make a decision this year," Cr Aubin said.
"The fifth event will be purely on their presentation and what they put on the table."
Council is expected to make a determination in September.