Bathurst Historic Touring Cars 2008

A friend sent me a link today to the following video taken in 2008, I was fortunate to be at Mt Panorama Bathurst for the Easter meeting in 2008, three friends were racing in that event, in the yellow A30, the white and blue striped Mini and in the orange Holden EH.

Not sure who supplied the video but thanks for sharing it. Best watched on full screen by clicking on the YouTube logo and with the volume turned up.

If you don't live in Australia you may not know about this track, it is without doubt one of the best race tracks in the world, situated about 2 hours west of Sydney. Following are a few photos taken over the weekend.

The Ford Customline which is also shown in the video launched off the ripple strips at the end of the main straight and tore a hole in the sump.

The blue Ford Galaxie shown in the following photo blew the motor at the top of the mountain and deposited the contents on the racing line taking out about a dozen cars, fortunately my friends missed the resulting carnage.

If you get a chance to visit this track especially for a historic race meeting dont miss it.

Photos were taken with  Nikon D80 using an 18-200 Nikon lens.

The Bathurst 12 Hour

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.