THE organisers of Challenge Bathurst are on a spectacular collision course with the Bathurst 1000 over a scheduling clash on Mount Panorama.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Challenge Bathurst, one of the five full track closure events allowed on the Mount each year, gives cashed-up motorsport fans the chance to race their own cars around the world-famous circuit in super sprint and regularity events.
This year's Bathurst Challenge is scheduled for November 11-17, just days after Supercars' plans to run the postponed Bathurst 1000 from November 4-7.
ALSO MAKING NEWS:
While the planned dates don't overlap, Challenge Bathurst organisers - in a statement to the media - say the postponed Bathurst 1000 would not allow for a full track closure and clean circuit two weeks before their event to be "staged in accordance with the agreement with the Bathurst Regional Council".
"Challenge Bathurst has made attempts to offer dates to Supercars Australia that are not in conflict with existing motorsport events contracted to use the Mount Panorama racing circuit in November 2021," the statement read.
"After Supercars Australia published the dates on July 30, Challenge Bathurst confirmed with Supercars on July 31 that the event will not be staged on the weekend being advertised.
"In an attempt to assist Supercars in their efforts to reschedule their calendar, Challenge Bathurst offered to consent to the Bathurst 1000 event to proceed one week earlier on 28 to 31 October.
"Challenge Bathurst has unequivocally communicated to Supercars Australia that it considers that no event should be permitted to be held over the period 4 to 7 November 2021."
Accelerate Events director Greg Evans, from the Challenge Bathurst management company, made it clear they would not be backing down.
"We have an obligation to the Bathurst Regional Council, our competitors, officials and the Bathurst community to stage a safe and viable event," Mr Evans said.
"With competitor numbers already at capacity, it's essential that we prepare and ensure we have the facilities and manning levels compliant with the terms of our Motorsport Australia permit and approved regulations."
November is set to be a jam-packed month on Mount Panorama with the Bathurst 1000 currently scheduled from November 4-7, Challenge Bathurst from November 11-17 and the inaugural Bathurst International scheduled for November 26-28.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.westernadvocate.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
What do you think?
- Why not write us a letter to the editor ...