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RECORDS SMASHED AS MORE THAN 80 CARS ENTER HI-TEC OILS BATHURST 6 HOUR
THE 2022 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will likely be the largest endurance race in the more than 80-year history of the iconic Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst.
An astonishing 84 entries have now been officially lodged with event organisers for the 15-17 April ‘Showroom Showdown’ next year.
The entry exceeds by 14 the race’s grid density of 70 cars, with early bird entries not due to close until November 30 and official entries still able to be lodged until March 11 next year.
The remarkable interest from Production Car competitors from around the country has seen organisers activate regulation 1.7.4 in the Motorsport Australia Bathurst 6 Hour Sporting Regulations, which states:
If full grid capacity is reached prior to the Entry Closing Date, the Bathurst 6 Hour Administrator reserves the right to accept those valid entries which it deems most suitable.
Event organisers at the Australian Racing Group (ARG) have put in place an internal process which will ensure the best possible outcomes for each class and the overall race itself.
Those who miss out on a guaranteed spot in the race will be offered a full refund, or the option to be kept on a standby list until closer to the race in April next year.
The Bathurst 6 Hour currently already owns the Mount Panorama record for the largest ever grid for an endurance race at the world-renowned circuit, set at 64 cars in 2017.
ARG received 68 entries for the 2020 Bathurst 6 Hour race, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while 60 cars took to the track at Easter this year.
KEN COLLIER – Event Director, Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour
“We asked our fantastic partners at the Bathurst Regional Council very nicely if they would be able to build some more pit lane garages in time for the race next year – but they seemed to think that lengthening pit straight might have been a bit too much work between now and April,” Ken Collier said.
“This is an unprecedented scenario for an endurance race at Mount Panorama and a phenomenal response from Production Car competitors around Australia.
“70 cars will be able to start the race based on the grid capacity at Mount Panorama and, just as importantly, the number of available pit lane garages to allow teams to work safely throughout the event.
“We will base our final selected entry list on ensuring the best possible Bathurst 6 Hour grid, both in each respective class and in terms of the quality of the field overall.
“We have put in place a very thorough processes with very experienced people who understand the race to make sure we come out with the right outcome.
“Unfortunately, not everyone will make the final entry list and it will be very sad to advise those who do not make it to the final entry list of 70 cars.
“However, those who do not make the final grid will have the option for a full refund, or to be retained on an active standby list in case there are withdrawals nearer to the race.
“Anyone on a standby list who does not make the actual Bathurst 6 Hour field will of course have their entry fee fully refunded.”