THE roar of the crowd often spurs drivers on to deliver their best results on Mount Panorama, but with just 4000 spectators allowed, the atmosphere is very different in 2020.
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In keeping with the COVID-safe plan for the event, spectators are only allowed in designated seats along Murrays Corner, Pit Straight and Hell Corner, while the top of the Mount is eerily silent.
In an Instagram story on Friday afternoon, Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) driver Chaz Mostert told fans how strange the event felt.
"To be honest, it's a bit of a weird feeling for us drivers here, especially myself, where we really rely on your guys' support on the weekend and being here in person and revving us up to feel the hunger in the belly to go out there and do our best job for you guys," he said.
"I just wanted to take a second to say to you guys that we're missing you greatly.
"It's definitely affecting the vibe here at the Bathurst 1000."
He continued by saying that the drivers still race their hardest once the helmet goes on, but reinforced how much they missed having fans on the mountain.
Mostert urged fans to show their support on social media, saying he would be reading messages he's tagged in between sessions.
People can show their support by using the #Bathurst1000 hashtag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, or using a hashtag featuring drivers' names.
In another Instagram story after on-track action concluded on Friday, Mostert thanked the "bloody awesome" fans for their social media posts throughout the day.
"What I'm super stocked about is just going through my Instagram now and seeing all the messages and the tags of all you guys," he said.
"Obviously a lot of you can't be here this weekend. It just really makes us emotional and we absolutely love the support, so thank you."
