FIVE categories of racing, elite international drivers and all at Mount Panorama - the 2020 Bathurst International is set to be a fantastic finale on the motor sport calendar.
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The fifth event for Mount Panorama was officially launched on Tuesday, a little over 12 months out from the inaugural meeting, which is slated to start on December 4, 2020.
The Australian Racing Group (ARG) was awarded the opportunity to host a fifth major event in September following a lengthy selection process that started in April this year.
ARG's executive director Matt Braid is naturally excited for the opportunity to bring a new international event to Mount Panorama
"Our view of this event, the Bathurst International, is to have a group of different categories which drivers around the world can participate in and effectively race their own cars in," he said.
The categories to be included are the S5000 open-wheelers, TCR (Touring Cars), TCM (Touring Car Masters), LMP3 (Le Mans Prototype) and TA2 (muscle cars).
While names can't be revealed yet, Mr Braid promises there has been great interest from international drivers, who are looking for opportunities to race at Mount Panorama.
"There's interest, not only to drive the cars, but interest to drive the cars at Bathurst. It's very special," he said.
"We're expecting a queue of international drivers who will definitely put their hand up to come to Bathurst."
At this stage, ARG is expecting to build to a crowd similar to what is seen each year at the Bathurst 12 Hour, which in more recent years has attracted around 40,000 people.
Camping will be available at this event and spectators will have similar opportunities as at other race meetings to talk to drivers and see what is happening behind the scenes.
Bathurst Regional Council and ARG will work closely together as the event nears to prepare the circuit and the complex for the arrival of teams and spectators.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said the Bathurst International was an exciting event to have at the circuit.
"It was a very hard decision for council to make, which fifth event we would have, but it was overwhelming to councillors that this would be what Bathurst wants," he said.
"It needs something different and it's going to be different."
In summary, Cr Bourke said the new event would see "the best drivers in the world racing on the best track in the world".
In addition to being an enjoyable event for motor sport fans, the Bathurst International will provide another economic boost to the region.
Cr Bourke said the benefits would increase as the event grows in prestige in the racing community.
