HIGH DEMAND EXPECTED AS CHALLENGE BATHURST ENTRIES OPEN

High demand expected as Challenge Bathurst entries open – Photo: Supplied

Entries for the 2020 Challenge Bathurst event open on 1 July, with the annual event at Mount Panorama again headed for bumper fields.

To be held as scheduled between 26-29 November this year, the annual event is a staple on the Bathurst calendar with spots for both the Super Sprint and Regularity sections expected to be in high demand once again.

Last year more than 400 competitors flocked to Mount Panorama for four days of on-track action.

“Challenge Bathurst has become a tradition for an enormous array of competitors looking for a chance to tackle Mount Panorama, who might otherwise not have the opportunity,” said Challenge Bathurst Event Director James O’Brien.

“Despite all of the challenges faced this year, the demand for rare track time at Mount Panorama remains incredibly high – this November is going to be a great opportunity for competitors to spend a few days immersing themselves in challenging the Mountain.”

Challenge Bathurst organisers have implemented several protocols to streamline the event following the Covid-19 pandemic, including closely following Motorsport Australia’s Return to Race protocols. This includes competitors completing a self-statement of vehicle compliance to remove the requirement for at-event scrutineering.

The 2019 event was oversubscribed with a total of 435 entries, an additional 30 cars also featured on a wait list should any competitors need to withdraw prior to competition commencing.

The first opportunity to commit to the 2020 event will be sent to previous competitors on 1 July, with broader entries open soon thereafter should space remain available.

Event organisers have also confirmed the return of the Australian GT Super Sprint, which will include three one-hour sessions and one additional 40-minute session for GT3 and GT4 vehicles competing in Australian GT.

The Super Sprint will once again be contested across the Thursday and Friday of the event, with the Modern Regularity competition across the weekend. Two days of V8 Race Experience drive days will follow the conclusion of the Challenge Bathurst event itself.

Demand will be high for regularity spots with two notable car clubs already confirming their plans to book an entire slot for their own members.

The Z Car Club of Queensland will return with a full field of 55 vehicles, while the Porsche Club of New South Wales has committed to their own regularity section – again, full at 55 cars.

The Porsche Club of NSW has a long history of attending events at Mount Panorama in large numbers having previously been a regular staple of the Bathurst 6 Hour event each Easter.

Last year, the Z Car Club successfully celebrated the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the iconic Nissan ‘Z Car’ in 1969 by entering a full field in the Regularity competition – interest high enough to demand a return visit in 2020.

The Super Sprint component of last year’s event saw top Bathurst 12 Hour and Australian GT competitors going head to head in a bid to set the fastest time in their own, stand-alone competition.

2019 marked the second time that Challenge Bathurst had attracted more than 400 competitors to Mount Panorama.

Entries for the 2020 event open on 1 July to previously entered competitors, with entry forms to be available online at the Challenge Bathurst website.

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