News

8 August 2019 | General

AUSTRALIAN RACING GROUP ACQUIRES BATHURST 6 HOUR EVENT

The Australian Racing Group is pleased to confirm that it has acquired Yeehah Events’ share of the Bathurst 6 Hour event, held at the world-famous Mount Panorama circuit over the Easter long weekend.The popular event, held at the iconic location, sees over 300 club and national level drivers and teams compete over the three-day weekend.ARG is now an equal share partner in the 6 Hour event, alongside the Bathurst Regional Council which retains its ownership share.ARG is committed to keeping the Hi-Tec Oils 6 Hour for production-based cars competing under the Group 3E Series Production Car rules as the drawcard race, while planning to enhance the existing event which will remain focused on local and regional categories and competitors.This acquisition does not impact the differentiated and separate bid that ARG has submitted as part of its proposal to secure the rights to a new fifth motorsport event at Bathurst which is in the final phases of a tender evaluation process with Bathurst Regional Council.The 6 Hour event has been run under the direction of James O’Brien since 2011. O’Brien’s company, Yeehah Events, continues to hold the promotion rights to Challenge Bathurst, held in November. O’Brien will work with ARG in delivering the next 6 Hour event.The Australian Racing Group’s acquisition of the event adds to its growing roster of motorsport properties, including the TCR Australia Series, TCR New Zealand, Touring Car Masters and the all-new S5000 open wheel category.The 2020 Bathurst 6 Hour will be held on April 10-12.MATT BRAIDDirector, Australian Racing Group”ARG is thrilled to secure the Bathurst 6 Hour event,” said Matt Braid.”James O’Brien and his team have done a tremendous job with this event, and retaining him and his key personnel through the process will provide us with a very experienced team with outstanding knowledge, capability and experience.  “The Mount Panorama circuit is an icon of Australian motorsport. Located in a picturesque regional setting, this event is a long standing one and our plan is that it will remain focused on its core local and regional competitors. ARG aims to compliment this track with racing and events that provide great entertainment and profile for the region internationally.””We look forward to enhancing the current 6 Hour event and, separately, to progressing our bid for the remaining fifth event which is for a clearly differentiated event and geographic reach than the 6 hour. There should be no confusion that we can or could deliver what is proposed in our current bid for the fifth event from the 6 Hour event platform.”CR GRAEME HANGER OAMMayor of Bathurst”The Bathurst 6 Hour has continued to grow in popularity and stature in this time and we congratulate James O’Brien and Yeehah Events in establishing the event firmly on the motor racing calendar,” said Cr Graeme Hanger.”We look forward to working with ARG as our partner and being involved in the continued growth and success of this Easter weekend event.”IAIN SHERRINCategory Manager, Australian Production Car Series”It’s very exciting and it’s great to see ARG come in and express so much interest in the event,” said Iain Sherrin.”It’s great for the future of Production Cars. This race is the pinnacle of production car racing in Australian and we are pleased that this is not only secured, but enhanced by ARG. “For the short term and the long term future, ARG’s acquisition of the 6 Hour is fantastic news.”They will bring a greater understanding of the motorsport community, with their key people having been involved at the highest level, understanding the categories, the racing and what needs to happen to make it successful. They are not just a promotions company – they are motorsport professionals.”