THE chance for drivers to spend time "immersing themselves in challenging the mountain" is expected to draw a bumper field for the 2020 Challenge Bathurst event.
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To be held as scheduled between November 26-29 this year, the annual event is a staple on the Bathurst calendar with spots for both the Super Sprint and Regularity sections expected to be in high demand once again.
Last year more than 400 competitors flocked to Mount Panorama for four days of on-track action. Organisers are hoping for similar numbers this year.
"Challenge Bathurst has become a tradition for an enormous array of competitors looking for a chance to tackle Mount Panorama, who might otherwise not have the opportunity," Challenge Bathurst event director James O'Brien said.
"Despite all of the challenges faced this year, the demand for rare track time at Mount Panorama remains incredibly high - this November is going to be a great opportunity for competitors to spend a few days immersing themselves in challenging the mountain."
Challenge Bathurst organisers have implemented several protocols to streamline the event following the COVID-19 pandemic, including closely following Motorsport Australia's Return to Race protocols.
This includes competitors completing a self-statement of vehicle compliance to remove the requirement for at-event scrutineering.
Event organisers have also confirmed the return of the Australian GT Super Sprint, which will include three one-hour sessions and one additional 40-minute session for GT3 and GT4 vehicles competing in Australian GT.
It will be an ideal chance for those drivers to clock a Mount Panorama lap record.
Last year Britain's Ben Barnicoat topped the Challenge Bathurst unrestricted session with a time of 2:00.5640 behind the wheel of his McLaren 720S.
The Super Sprint will once again be contested across the Thursday and Friday of the event, with the modern regularity competition across the weekend.
Two days of V8 Race Experience drive days will follow the conclusion of the Challenge Bathurst event itself.
Demand will be high for regularity spots with two notable car clubs already confirming their plans to book an entire slot for their own members.
The Z Car Club of Queensland will return with a full field of 55 vehicles, while the Porsche Club of New South Wales has committed to their own regularity section - again, full at 55 cars.
The Porsche Club of NSW has a long history of attending events at Mount Panorama in large numbers, having previously been a regular staple of the Bathurst 6 Hour event each Easter.
Last year, the Z Car Club successfully celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the iconic Nissan 'Z Car' in 1969 by entering a full field in the Regularity competition - interest high enough to demand a return visit in 2020.
Entries for the 2020 event opened on July 1 to previously entered competitors, with entry forms to be available online at the Challenge Bathurst website, www.challengebathurst.com.
