DRIVERS and cars of the highest calibre will test themselves at Mount Panorama this weekend, but first they need to make a quick trip into town.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ahead of the official start of the Bathurst 12 Hour race meeting, the entire 39-car field will journey from Mount Panorama to Kings Parade today (Thursday) in the second Town to Track event.
It will be an opportunity for race fans and residents to see these machines up close and speak to the drivers who will race them in the coming days.
Cars will leave pit lane at 10.45am and complete a slow lap of the circuit itself prior to exiting the track onto Panorama Avenue and coming to the centre of Bathurst via Brilliant and George streets.
Drivers will be available to meet fans and sign autographs before departing Russell Street at 1.30pm and returning to the circuit, via William Street and Panorama avenue.
With such big names and fast cars set to compete, councillor Warren Aubin, an avid motor sport fan, is expecting an exciting race on Sunday.
The race will start at 5.45am, but he said the challenge isn't driving in the dark.
Rather, it's keeping the car going for the duration of the race on what is such a complicated circuit.
Cr Aubin said it will be a challenge for drivers who have never raced at Bathurst before and those who are inexperienced.
"You do see a lot of inexperienced drivers come to grief up here because they try too hard. That's something that you can't do here," he said.
"They can't go out and win the race, they have to try to bring the car home. It'll be an experience for those young drivers."
He said the race will "sort the men from the boys", particularly if the forecast for rain on Sunday of between 10 and 20 millimetres eventuates.
"This is going to be a really special race this year, with the calibre of the drivers and the cars as well. We've got the best cars in the world here," Cr Aubin said.
He encouraged people to go to the Mount to see the action live in person, saying it can be "quite dramatic" and a "spectacular sight".
Those who can't make it, can watch live coverage on both paid and free-to-air television.
For the first time, qualifying and the shootout will be live on FOX Sports.
Sunday's race will be broadcast live on FOX Sports and on 7mate.
