Mt. Panorama.
Without a doubt one of the best circuits in the world, Mt. Panorama offers drivers and spectators one of the most spectacular places to enjoy motor sport. Recent efforts by The Bathurst City Council to expand the variety of racing is a very welcome change from the monotony of bland V8 Supercar races which have had a monopoly over the past ten years. The Bathurst 12 Hour is starting to attract interest from international teams and this year witnessed the very professional Joest Audi Team doing battle with local teams. 2012 is shaping up for an even better field of competitive cars.
The original concept of the 12 Hour was to limit entry to cars available from the showroom in Australia, 2011 saw that expanded to include GT class cars. This was a good move, the showroom cars can still compete for class wins but the GT class now has the chance to attract entries from around the world.
The Citigate Hotel looks out of place in the surrounding farmland but offers superb viewing, this was taken from our balcony.
Audi arrived in force, 2 cars, 50 staff, 2 containers of spares and an army of customers and dealers to cheer them on.
Early days for Enzo, it wouldn't last.
The Ferrari challenge was equally impressive with the usual vast selection of great looking machinery, this one was the only one still operating at the end of the day.
The winning Audi.
Second place to the Craig Lowndes R8
Porsche action during the race.
During the first hour the Mosler blew a tyre at over 300kmph. finally coming to rest 400 metres down the track while it's windscreen landed on top of the telephone wires beside the track.
As usual Bathurst provided four seasons in one day, brilliant sunshine followed by thunderstorms, flooding rain and then wind.
The VIP Pet Food car from local entrant Tony Quinn kept the Audis honest all day, taking the lead on a number of occasions but finally finishing in third place behind the International Team from Audi with local hero Craig Lowndes in second place in the other Audi R8.
On the way down the mountain.
A double stop by the Audi Team and various pit action from the observation deck above the pits.
Could motor racing survive without duct tape?
Roll on 2012.
