{"id":283,"date":"2016-10-05T18:11:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-05T22:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonmotorsport.com\/?p=283"},"modified":"2016-10-05T18:11:49","modified_gmt":"2016-10-05T22:11:49","slug":"big-week-begins-for-bathurst-1000-drivers-and-race-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2016\/10\/05\/big-week-begins-for-bathurst-1000-drivers-and-race-fans\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Week Begins For Bathurst 1000 Drivers and Race Fans"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 9 is written down in the calendars of many Motorsport fans worldwide. Not for any<\/em> motor race, but from\u00a0Australia<\/strong>, it is known as the ‘Great Race!’. The\u00a0Bathurst 1000<\/strong> will hold plenty of attention in the production\/touring car\u00a0category, from New South Wales<\/em> to New York<\/em>\u00a0this Sunday.<\/p>\n

Known worldwide\u00a0today as\u00a0the pinnacle of the\u00a0V8 Supercar\u00a0<\/strong>series,<\/a>\u00a0this has developed over a strong history so now Bathurst has built a cult<\/em> following. Like the Isle<\/strong> of Man TT<\/strong> motorbike race, Dakar Rally<\/strong> or even Le Mans<\/strong>, it has a proud and iconic history. 2016 will add another chapter, as the best drivers aim for the podium.<\/p>\n

This week, the build-up is almost as big as the 1000 kilometre road race itself. Held on Sunday\u00a0in the small town of Bathurst, New South Wales,<\/em>\u00a0the influx of crowds is due to the importance of this race on the calendar.\u00a0A major portion of competition points go towards the Championship <\/strong>here too.\u00a0<\/strong>So the importance of Bathurst is not lost on either spectators or competitors.<\/p>\n

Big Week For Bathurst 1000 Drivers<\/h2>\n

The annual October ‘celebration of speed’ is part of Aussie folklore. Raced at the Mount Panorama<\/strong> street circuit since 1963<\/a>, when originators Bob Jane <\/strong>and Harry Firth <\/strong>raced production cars over 500 kilometers.<\/em> Today, the length is 1000 kilometers, over 161 laps<\/strong> of the track. It has become known as\u00a0the ‘Great race’.<\/p>\n

Drivers who have carved their names into history are endless. Moffat, Grice, Richards, Setton and Skaife.\u00a0One name stands out, and it is his trophy that all drivers now hope to hold up on Sunday–Peter Brock<\/strong>. The nine-time winner was a natural in the car, and his style and stamina are legendary. Footage (below) of his laconic, relaxed style contrast to the usual intensity of race day.<\/p>\n