BATHURST RECORD CHASE ON AT 6 HOUR
A BATHURST circuit record is potentially in store for today’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.
While the highly-prized outright lap record will remain safe for another year, the record books for ‘largest ever Bathurst grid’ could be under threat should all of the field make it into the starters hands on today at about 11:30am.
Though not without the regular Bathurst drama, 64 cars look to have made it through practice and qualifying this weekend and should they all make it to the commencement of the formation lap the Bathurst historians will need to get out their red ink.
Across 75 500 mile, 1000km, six-hour, 12-hour or 24-hour races held at Mount Panorama since 1963, records indicate that 63 cars are the most to actually start a race.
That record grid was achieved three times: first in the 1969 Hardie Ferodo 500, then in the 1978 Hardie Ferodo 1000 and finally in the 1984 James Hardie 1000.
14 major endurance races have seen starting grids of 60 or more cars in the history of Mount Panorama.
Larger fields have attempted to qualify for Bathurst enduros – 70 cars were on track to qualify for the 1971 Hardie Ferodo 500, through only 61 of them made the actual race start.
67 cars attempted to compete in both 1970 and 1976, though both years saw 60 cars take the starter with a host failing to make the cut and some forced out before the green dropped.
66 cars, one more than this year’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour entry, assembled at Mount Panorama in 1966 however only 60 managed to make the start thanks to pre-race attrition.
In last year’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, 50 cars – despite some with dramas on the way – made it through practice and qualifying to the start of the race.
Another number to watch today will be the race distance – last year 125 laps completed for a total of 776km.
Should the field get to 130 laps it will mean the field reaches the classic, pre-1973 race distance of 500 miles!
Sherrin Racing starts the race from pole position today, thanks to a stunning 2m25.487s lap that stands as a record for Production cars at Mount Panorama.
The race can be streamed live at www.bathurst6hour.com.au/live
WORDS & PHOTO: Richard Craill
Richard Craill (administrator)
Working full time in the motorsport industry since 2004, Richard has established himself within the group of Australia’s core motorsport broadcasters, covering the support card at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix for Channel 10, the Bathurst 12 Hour for Channel 7 and Porsche Carrera Cup & Touring Car Masters for FOX Sports’ Supercars coverage. Pretends to be a PR guy / Journalist and sometimes photographer to make ends meet when not yelling at a television in a padded room.
