CAPACITY GRID EXPECTED FOR ’23 BATHURST 6HR PRODUCTION CAR CLASSIC.
With entries having been open for little over 24 hours, it’s looking like the 2023 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour is going to have a full grid – with 20 entries already been received.
The event which will be held over the Easter long weekend – 7th to the 9th April 2023, looks to be another classic with early entries all eager to lock in a starting spot for the 2023 production car classic.
The Hi-Tech Oils 6 Hour race for production cars stands out as Australia’s biggest endurance race is set to be another classic with early interest mirroring that of the oversubscribed 2022 edition.
A capacity field of 70 entrants competed in the 2022 event, which was ultimately whittled down to 63 starters by the time the race commenced on Easter Sunday.
Australian Racing Group’s Ken Collier – Event Director for the Hi-Tech Oils Bathurst 6 Hour is encouraged by the early level of interest.
“Once again we have been blown away by the early interest in the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour – I think I received the first entry from less than 10 minutes after it was sent out,” Collier said.
“The stability of the event, the regulations, the program and the profile of what has become Bathurst’s new Easter tradition means there’s great interest in the race every year.
“As was the case this year, we’re encouraging competitors to get their forms in as soon as possible to avoid possible disappointment down the road.
“There’s little doubt in my mind that we will see another capacity field next Easter with the wide array of cars, brands, teams and drivers that make the 6 Hour one of the highlights of the calendar each year.”
In 2022 a record three-day attendance of 18,422 fans witnessed the BMW M2 Competition of Cameron Hill and Thomas Sargent win the race from last position on the starting grid – the first time that had been achieved in 12-Hour history.
2022 Hi-Tech Oils Bathurst 6 Hour winners Cameron Hill and Thomas Sargent – BMW M2 Competition
The 2022 race was a record-setter, with young star Sargent battling Supercars star Tim Slade (driving Brad Carr’s BMW M3) for the win late in the race before passing for the lead with a bold move at Skyline with just a few laps remaining.
It is thought to be the furthest back any Bathurst endurance race winner has started to claim a Bathurst major in the circuit’s 84-year history.
Competition throughout the classes remained highly competitive throughout last year’s race day, with 49 starters finished the challenging six-hour endurance classic.
Early bird entries are open until 2 December this year, while entries officially close on 10 March 2023.
The entry form and 2023 Supplementary Regulations can be downloaded from the official event website now.
The 70-strong capacity remains in place for this year with a reserve list in place should entries eclipse the number of spots on the grid.
