News
NEW EASTER ERA TO COMMENCE AT MOUNT PANORAMA
A BRAND NEW era of racing on the traditional Mount Panorama Easter long weekend will commence this week at the 2016 Bathurst Motor Festival. Racing across the Easter holiday has been a Mount Panorama tradition for much of its 78-year history, with this weekend’s inaugural Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour endurance race set to create a new chapter thanks to a high-profile national and international race.In its first year, the race has already attracted more than 50 entries and high profile drivers from Australia and New Zealand, including Australian Touring Car legend John Bowe and current V8 Supercar star, Chaz Mostert.More than 300 competitors in total are entered for the Bathurst Motor Festival, competing across six race and regularity categories featuring on the bumper program this weekend.Last year, more than 10,000 people attended the three-day festival at Mount Panorama despite torrentially wet conditions on the Friday and Saturday of the event. The 2016 Bathurst Motor Festival is set to be the biggest yet, with benefits for the Bathurst and New South Wales Central West regions to come as a result.The NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, is proud to support this exciting event as part of its Regional Flagship Events Program.NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said: “Events such as the Bathurst Motor Festival play an important role for tourism in Regional NSW, attracting visitors and helping boost local economies. I encourage visitors to Bathurst to take some time to explore the region’s natural attractions, museums and galleries and fantastic food and wine during their stay.”Race fans and competitors from every Australian state will travel to Bathurst this week and will either camp at the circuit or stay in the region’s accommodation throughout the duration.For the first time, a live streaming broadcast of the Bathurst Motor Festival will be available for free on Easter Sunday via the Event website, providing extensive coverage of the five support races and the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour race. Spectators viewing trackside will also have the benefit of two big screens – one on pit straight and one at the top of the Mountain – showing race coverage on Sunday.Fans watching from home and those at the circuit will also have access to the new and improved Mount Panorama circuit timing system that offers the same information provided to the competitors working in pit lane.The new system came as part of a major infrastructure upgrade by the Bathurst Regional Council prior to the start of the 2016 season.The Bathurst Motor Festival will be held across the March 25-27 Easter long weekend. Sunday’s action, including the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour enduro, will be streamed live via www.bathurstmotorfestival.com.au on Easter Sunday, with highlights to air on SBS Speedweek following the race on Sunday, April 10.Tickets remain on sale via the Bathurst Motor Festival website with savings available for those booking in advance.