Ticket sales are going strong just one week out from the Bathurst 500 and race fans are gearing up for the Supercars season launch.
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Due to COVID-19 complications, Bathurst will host the opening round of the Supercars series for the first time in what may well be a one of a kind event.
With teams busy completing final testing days, a spokesperson from Supercars said there was plenty for fans to look forward to heading into the weekend's event.
"From Jamie Whincup's penultimate round at a circuit he has such a coloured past with, to drivers in new teams hoping to take Scott McLaughlin's mantle as Series Champion, all eyes will be on track to see which driver gives themselves early bragging rights for the year ahead," they said.
"The new year is brings cautious optimism to our expectations in terms of crowd numbers and our forecast is for a solid crowd given current restrictions, but we most certainly will be thrilled to see fans back at the top of Skyline that is for sure.
"Ticket sales are tracking well and while sales reflect people are still cautious about interstate travel, Supercars is pleased with the current sales numbers."
As per the current NSW COVID guidelines, the Bathurst 500 will be operating to the social distancing requirement of 1 person per 2 sqm, but it will still mean a much bigger crowd than was allowed at last year's Bathurst 1000.
Some ticketed ares such as Paddock Passes and Reserved Grandstand seating were showing as sold out mid week, however a Supercars spokesperson said more tickets have been released meaning more fans will get to see live racing.
"There has been more released and Supercars is taking a staggered approach to monitor sales numbers compared to COVID capacities in the Paddock," they said.
"There has been good interest in camping and COVID restrictions allow for only every second site to be sold, but camping numbers will be similar to camping numbers at the Bathurst 12 Hour."
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Bathurst councillor and keen race enthusiast, Warren Aubin, said it was an amazing opportunity to have the season opener in Bathurst.
"We were supposed to have the 12 Hour which Supercars also run, and instead they decided to have the opening round in Bathurst given Adelaide would be too difficult to set up with COVID complications," he said.
"It's a great opportunity for Bathurst and Mt Panorama to host two events in one season and everyone is looking forward to it.
"Not only is great to see live racing but it will provide a massive injection into the local economy which missed out on last year's 1000 and is still recovering somewhat.
Mr Aubin said it will be interesting to see how teams approach the first event of the series given there will be two 250 kilometre races across two days instead of the usual grueling 1000 kilometres.
"It really is two sprints as opposed to the usual endurance race so it should be good to see how cars are set up and what strategies they take," he said.
"There are new teams with new drivers and in the first weekend of the season, everyone is out to prove a point, especially in the Top Ten Shootouts."
Tickets for the Bathurst 500 are still currently available at www.supercars.com.