Bathurst 6 Hour grid capped at a record 70 entrants

It is because an unprecedented amount of interest in the annual production car race means that Collier has found himself in the unusual position of telling potential entrants they would not be able to tackle the Easter enduro.

Two months out from the date initially set for entries to close, there were 88 teams which had lodged their application and paid entrance fees.

Collier had to consult the rule book on track density and garage capacity, discussions were held with Motorsport Australia, and in the end organisers were forced to set a limit at 70 cars.

"We've locked it into 70 which is the capacity of Pit Lane," Collier said.

"Because Pit Lane is so well laid out and of a good size we can put two cars in each garage. I know there's 36 garages and 36 by two is 72, but we needed space for the TV production set up.

"To be honest, for me personally, I really hated to knock people back and it was a very timely process to come up with a selection process.

"It's one of the hardest things I've had to do in motor sport, reject entrants, more often than not I've had to chase entrants, I've not had to reject them before."

Organisers personally wrote to all those who missed the cut and they have been placed on a standby list should any competitors withdraw.

It means the previous starting grid record for a Mount Panorama endurance event of 64 - set in the 2017 Bathurst 6 Hour - is likely to be exceeded.

READ MORE: Holdsworth expresses interest in a full-time return following first Bathurst 1000 win

READ MORE: Return to one Bathurst Supercars round and a Great October

READ MORE: Anderson enjoys 'unreal' end to Super3 season, clinching a podium double

It is a level of interest which has blown Collier away, but he's also now predicting it will continue.

"It's just unprecedented, obviously the level of entrants was totally unexpected," he said.

"Motor sport has suffered this year so a lot of people had an appetite for it. Production car racing this year has been a little bit quite, so give them the chance to come and play at Bathurst, which is everyone's dream, we just had so much interest.

"The record number of entrants we have has been very positive and I think we will have a full house again in 2023. There are a lot of new cars being built - Mustangs, Camaros, there's a guy in a Lexus and we've never had a Lexus before - so there is just a really good variety."

The 2022 event is set to feature eight different classes and when deciding on a final selection criteria, one of the considerations was to ensure strong competition across them.

The full entry list for the Bathurst 6 Hour, to be held from April 15-17, will released early in the new year.

"We are very appreciative that they wanted to enter the race in the first place and hope that they continue to share that passion for the race moving forward," Collier said.

"We understand their disappointment and we share in it because it was a very difficult process to undertake, and it's one we did with as much respect ... as possible."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: