RACE fans could be watching a very different Bathurst 1000 this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Due to health concerns regarding coronavirus, Supercars suspended its 2020 season in March at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which served as the category's second round of the year.
READ MORE: Major events dumped, postponed after virus
Races scheduled to be held in Tasmania, Auckland and Perth across April and May also won't go ahead, however Supercars is working to reschedule these events along with races to replace the ones lost in Melbourne.
It is unknown how long restrictions will be in place, meaning that Supercars' biggest event of the year, the Bathurst 1000 in October, could also be affected.
Supercars is forging ahead with ticket sales and camp site bookings for October, hoping this event will be able to run as normal.
"We are committed to bringing you the chance to see the homegrown Holden Commodore take on the mighty Ford Mustang for what could be the final time at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October 2020," the Supercars website says.
"Rest assured, we understand the severity of the situation right now and if we are unable to go ahead as planned in October, we will reschedule the event so our fans don't miss out on what will undoubtedly be a poignant moment in Supercars history."
Bathurst councillor Warren Aubin is among those with his fingers crossed that this event will go ahead, knowing there will be huge economic impacts if it doesn't.
He is following the decisions being made for other sporting events and noted there is talk the Melbourne Cup, to be held several weeks after the Great Race, may not have spectators.
He said that, depending on how the health situation evolves, Bathurst could end up being the location where the Supercars Championship resumes and there is every chance that could be without spectators.
Right now, how the event could look is a mystery.
"It could go ahead as per normal, it could be huge because of the fact it's going to be Holden's last year as we know it," Cr Aubin said.
"It could be huge because people are relieved they can get back outside and go and do what they used to be doing, or it could still be under that horrible cloud of 'This virus could still be around, I'm not going'.
"If it was run and spectators were allowed, would spectators come? We don't know if it's going to be the same Bathurst or if it will be totally different."
The Bathurst 1000 generates millions of dollars for the economy and gives many local businesses a much-needed boost.
Cr Aubin said that if the event, plus the November motor racing, does go ahead, council and businesses will need to take full advantage of the extra people in the city.
"We will be doing whatever is in the power of council to assist businesses to get back on their feet," he said.
He expects that it won't be until at least July that organisers will know for certain if the event can go ahead at all and in what capacity.
