FORGET about gracious guests, come this November foreign raiders will be doing whatever it takes to beat the Australian driving stars who will line up in the inaugural Bathurst International.
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After originally mooting a December date for the fifth major motor sport event at Mount Panorama, the Australian Racing Group has confirmed that the inaugural Bathurst International will be held on November 13-15 this year.
It is a date which will allow drivers and teams from all around the world the chance to compete at one of the most revered race tracks on the planet.
The November time slot is clear of all of the domestic championships and series that will compete in the Bathurst International, including major TCR Series events around the world.
There has already been speculation surrounding big-name international drivers such as 11-times Formula 1 race winner Rubens Barrichello, but any foreign talents who make the starting grid will face stiff opposition.
"It is exciting to confirm the date for the inaugural Bathurst International, and we are very pleased with the final outcome," Australian Racing Group chief executive officer Matt Braid said.
"There were a number of categories that we have racing that we needed to wait for, and this date represents the best chance for drivers and teams from around the world to race at the iconic Mount Panorama.
"The mid-November date gives everyone a long lead time to arrange their calendars and logistics.
"We know that all of the local competitors in TCR, Touring Car Masters and Trans Am are looking forward to it, and we know that many international guests will do whatever they can to try and knock them off in their own backyard."
While it was initially announced at the launch of the Bathurst International at Mount Panorama late last year that the LMP3 sportscars would form part of the program, that category is currently subject to confirmation.
However, ARG has confirmed that the TCR Series cars will compete in a stand-alone 500 kilometre race.
It is set to become a jewel in the crown of all international TCR events.
The Bathurst TCR 500 will see each car entered with two drivers, bringing market relevant endurance touring car racing back to the famous mountain circuit.
The Bathurst International will also see heritage muscle cars, including Australia's popular Touring Car Masters, Trans Am 2 racers and the all-new S5000 open wheelers create their thunderous V8 roar around the mountain.
All of the categories competing at Bathurst will be non-championship or series races, meaning competitors go flat out in a bid to be the 'International king of the mountain'.
"We are excited to partner with ARG to bring this exciting new event featuring a range of cars and drivers from all over the world to Mount Panorama," Bathurst Mayor Bobby Bourke said.
"An event of this calibre will bring an international focus to the racing circuit not seen before.
"Mount Panorama has a reputation as one of the best racing circuits in the world. The international exposure of this event will elevate Mount Panorama's prestige and showcase the racing circuit and Bathurst."
