Bathurst 1000 – The Most Prestigious Race in Australian Motorsport – Supercars Championship – Some highlights from Sunday 13 October 2024
The Bathurst 1000, often referred to as “The Great Race,” is a legendary Australian motorsport event held annually at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales. Here’s a brief history of the iconic race:
The 2024 Bathurst 1000 on Sunday, October 13, was an action-packed event at Mount Panorama. The day began with a thrilling air show, where planes soared over the track, captivating the crowd. The race officially kicked off at 11:30 AM, with Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood ultimately taking the win after a tight, dramatic battle. Highlights included Matt Payne’s crash that triggered a late safety car, adding to the excitement. The duo managed to stay ahead of Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup to secure the victory.
The 2024 Bathurst 1000 featured a competitive grid with a mix of Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustangs, driven by some of the top drivers in the Supercars championship. Here are a few key highlights of the teams and their vehicles:
- Brodie Kostecki/Todd Hazelwood – Chevrolet Camaro (#1, Erebus Motorsport)
- Ryan Wood/Fabian Coulthard – Ford Mustang (#2, Walkinshaw Andretti United)
- Cam Waters/James Moffat – Ford Mustang (#6, Tickford Racing)
- Shane van Gisbergen/Richie Stanaway – Chevrolet Camaro (#97, Red Bull Ampol Racing)
- Anton De Pasquale/Tony D’Alberto – Ford Mustang (#11, Shell V-Power Racing)
- Will Davison/Kai Allen – Ford Mustang (#17, Shell V-Power Racing)
- Craig Lowndes/Cooper Murray – Chevrolet Camaro (#888, Triple Eight Race Engineering)
Overall, there were 16 Chevrolet Camaros and 10 Ford Mustangs on the grid, with key teams such as Erebus Motorsport, Red Bull Ampol Racing, and Tickford Racing among the favorites
A Brief history of Bathurst 1000 – The Great Race!
The Bathurst 1000, often referred to as “The Great Race,” is a legendary Australian motorsport event held annually at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales. Here’s a brief history of the iconic race:
Origins:
- The race traces its roots back to the 1960 Armstrong 500, which was initially held at Phillip Island in Victoria. It was designed to test the endurance of production cars.
- In 1963, the race moved to Mount Panorama, Bathurst, due to the increasing demand for a more challenging track. Since then, the Bathurst 1000 has been a mainstay of Australian motorsport.
Evolution:
- Originally, the race was a test for standard production cars, but it gradually evolved into a competition for purpose-built touring cars. The early years saw cars from Ford, Holden, Chrysler, and international manufacturers battle for supremacy.
- In the 1970s, Holden’s Toranas and Ford Falcons dominated the race, with drivers such as Peter Brock, who became known as the “King of the Mountain” for his nine victories, and Ford’s Allan Moffat.
Group C and Group A:
- During the 1980s, the race evolved with changes in regulations. The introduction of Group C (Australian touring car regulations) in the 1970s and Group A (international rules) in the mid-1980s brought more diversity to the grid, with cars like the Nissan Skyline and the BMW M3 competing alongside Australian-built Ford and Holden vehicles.
V8 Supercars Era:
- In the 1990s, the race became part of the V8 Supercars Championship (now known as Supercars Championship), featuring mainly Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores. This era saw some of the fiercest rivalries, including the famed Ford vs. Holden battles.
- Craig Lowndes, Mark Skaife, and Jamie Whincup emerged as some of the modern stars of the Bathurst 1000, continuing the legacy of endurance and performance.
Modern Day:
- Today, the Bathurst 1000 remains the most prestigious race in Australian motorsport. It is part of the Supercars Championship and draws attention from drivers and fans worldwide. The Mount Panorama Circuit is unique, with its elevation changes, tight corners, and high-speed straights, offering both a technical and thrilling challenge.
The Bathurst 1000 continues to evolve, with new technologies, cars, and teams, but it retains its heritage as a test of endurance, skill, and teamwork.
