Race cars representing much of Australia’s rich motorsport history will take to the track with a full grid of cars from the early 1960s to mid 1970s expected to take part.

Group N racing was part of this years’ Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour – the sister Event to the Bathurst Motor Festival – and race fans there saw a grid of 30 cars entered, made up of everything from Chevrolet Camaros and the iconic BOSS Mustangs, to Nimble Torana’s, Ford Capri’s and even a Volvo.

More of the same exciting racing and iconic cars are expected when the same kind of field descends on the Bathurst Motor Festival on 6-8 April, 2012.

Confirmation of the Group N competition completes the strongest Bathurst Motor Festival program yet, a combination of top national-level competition mixed with some of the best entry level motorsport making it an event accessible by everyone.

The historic debut of The Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship on the Mountain will return ‘wings and slicks’ open wheelers to competition at Bathurst for the first time in over 30 years, whilst the frenetic and action-packed racing of the FW1 Aussie Racing Cars series will ensure entertainment aplenty for attending fans and those behind the wheel.

The exotic, diverse grid of the Production Sports Cars will battle it out over two, one-hour races that will likely see Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari up against everything from Daytona Coupe’s to Mazda MX5s.

For the first time HQ Holdens will also get into ‘endurance mode’ at Mount Panorama, set for a pair of one-hour races like the Production Sports Cars.

Meanwhile, the New South Wales Road Racing Club will bring their regularity competition back to Mount Panorama for the second time, with an oversubscribed field racing ‘against the clock’ on Australia’s toughest circuit.

The Bathurst Motor Festival presents an ideal weekend of motorsport excitement across the Easter Long Weekend in 2012 and will include car club displays, parade laps, unparalleled access to the circuit and pit areas and the competitors.

HQ HOLDENS will take to Mount Panorama in two, one-hour endurance races as part of their debut at the 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival on April 6-8 next year.

A full field of cars from Australia’s most successful and long-lived one-make category will take to the mountain and provide all of their regular entertainment, but now in longer doses and with compulsory pit stops to further spice up the action.

The Event will be open to single or two-driver combinations however each car will be required to take a timed pit stop regardless of driver line-up. Category Management are expecting big grids and the potential for some surprise driver line-ups to join the grid for the Easter long weekend Event next year.

Bathurst Motor Festival HQ Holden Category Manager Dale Youd said the concept was designed to deliver HQ Holden competitors something different from their usual sprint-racing format seen in previous Bathurst visits.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to do something different,” Youd explained.

“When the promoters contacted us with the opportunity to be part of this Event we jumped at it – it’s the only opportunity for us to be able to do two, one-hour races at Bathurst which is something new and exciting for HQ Racing.”

Youd said there were already plenty of people talking about how they were going to approach the weekend.

“We have had one group talking about entering an all-female driving team, whilst others are talking to some ‘name’ drivers to join in. So there should be a lot of variety and some great stories throughout the weekend.

“Our aim is to make it a fun weekend for competitors and a real family affair given it will be Easter.”

HQ competitors are familiar to endurance-style racing. An annual highlight of their season is the annual Winton four-hour (2x two-hour races), amongst other longer races contested throughout the year in both state and national-level competition.

The category is famous for big fields, affordability and entertaining racing throughout the grid and continues to attract large numbers across Australia – with strong representation in most states continuing.

Youd said the cars would have no dramas negotiating Mount Panorama’s 6.213 kilometres of twists, turns and undulations for an hour at a time.

“The cars will run for two hours on fuel at Winton, so Bathurst won’t be a problem despite a higher fuel usage thanks to the faster track. It will test the brakes, but Bathurst has plenty of long straights to help cool them.” He explained.

“Reliability is not a drama so the key will be down to the drivers and the conditions on the day. It should be great fun and we’re confident the HQ’s will be a great part of the weekend’s entertainment for the Bathurst Motor Festival.”

The two, one-hour HQ Racing Enduros will join the FW1 Aussie Racing Car Series, the historic debut of Formula 3 at Mount Panorama, Production Sports Cars and the New South Wales Road Racing Club regularity competition at the 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival.

New South Wales racer Peter Carr won the round held at the Bathurst Motor Festival in April this year and will return to defend his Bathurst title in 2012.

The FW1 Aussie Racing Cars join a growing mix of National and state-level categories announced for the 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival, including the debut of Formula 3 at Mount Panorama, Production Sports Cars and the NSW Road Racing Club regularity.

Carr said there was only one word to describe the Aussie Racing Car action on the Mountain.

“It’s incredible,” he said.

“We hit top gear by the kink in Conrod straight so from there it’s all a massive slipstream battle. In the length of the straight you can pass someone, be re-passed and then pass again before the chase. The slipstreaming battles are just insane.

“It is incredible racing. This year I was fortunate enough to have a brilliant car that allowed me to win a couple of races fairly comfortably by Aussie Racing Car standards – but I can’t wait to get back next year and have another go.”

Category Manager Brad Ward says the Bathurst Motor Festival forms a key part of the ever-expanding Aussie Racing Car National series.

“Aussie Racing Cars see Australia’s most famous racing circuit, Mount Panorama Bathurst as an important part of the National Series and we are excited to be taking the series back to Bathurst for the Motor Festival at Easter in 2012,” he said.

“With the cars being fitted with high aero rear wings and front splitters designed specifically for Bathurst, the four wide racing action and extreme slip streaming that the Pocket Rockets have become synonymous for will again be a feature of each FW1 Aussie Racing Cars competition at the mountain.

“We are expecting a capacity grid of over 45 cars for the event and with four races scheduled over three days, the on track action will be awesome.”

Aussie Racing Cars feature essentially half-scale cars sporting bodywork from several different types of vehicle (including Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon, Toyota Aurion and Classic Ford and Chevrolet models) powered by 1200cc Motorcycle-based engines producing about 125bhp.

Weighing just 450kg, the cars reach upwards of 230km/hr down Conrod straight, often racing in close packs of cars slipstreaming and jostling for position in some of the most exciting racing around.

The FW1 Aussie Racing Car Super Series will join categories already confirmed at the 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival, including the historic debut of Formula 3 at Mount Panorama, Production Sports Cars and the New South Wales Road Racing Club regularity competition.

The CUE Production Sports Cars will return to Mount Panorama in 2012 and bring their brilliant mix of high-powered, exotic GT cars and smaller, more nimble production racers to the Easter Long weekend after a hugely-successful first-up visit this year.

51 cars entered for the Production Sports Car one-hour race at the Event this year, a series of 10-lap heat races leading up to a one-hour spectacular that was won by Jamie Augustine and Touring Car hero Andrew Miedecke in a six-litre V8 Daytona Coupe.

76-year-old Ted Huglin was second in his Lamborghini Gallardo LP600, with Porsche Carrera Cup racer Ray Angus third in his Porsche GT3 Cup Car. A pair of little Lotus Exige GT racers completed the top five.

The field featured 12 brands and more than twenty different models of cars, including everything from a V10 Dodge Viper to a pack of Mazda MX5 sports cars.

New South Wales Production Sports Car Association president Arthur Magaitis – who also raced this year driving a Lotus – said the series was excited to confirm their return to Mount Panorama and the Bathurst Motor Festival after a strong debut this year.

“After such a good showing this Easter we can’t wait to return to such an iconic circuit and a great Event,” Magaitis said.

“The feedback from our competitors overwhelmingly supported us going back and it will be part of our CUE Endurance series next year as it was in 2011. The endurance races are the ones everyone wants to be part of and as a competitor it’s exhilarating to go back to such a great track.

“We expect to be close to or fully subscribed at 55 cars once again.”

Andrew Macpherson also raced a Lotus in the 2011 Event and said there was nothing like racing such a diverse field on the world-renowned 6.2km Bathurst circuit.

“It’s the most diverse field you can possibly imagine and it’s great to be part of it,” Macpherson – who also drives a Mosler GT car – said during this years’ event.

“You get fantastic racing because the cars are strong at different points of the circuit. Our Lotus is very strong across the top but the V8’s and cars like the Lamborghini are obviously faster up and down the Mountain. It’s very competitive and spectacular racing, and great fun to be part of.”

The CUE Production Sports racers will contest an identical schedule to this year’s Event, with separate sprint races for drivers and co-drivers before the crews combine for a feature one-hour race during the Easter Sunday program.

The 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival will be held on April 6-8 and will include a mixture of national level categories and state based competition offering something for everyone.

Categories already confirmed include the historic debut of Formula 3 at Mount Panorama, Production Sports Cars, Porsche Club New South Wales regularity and the New South Wales Road Racing Club regularity competition.

The return of international specification ‘wings and slicks’ open wheelers to Mount Panorama for the first time in over thirty years will ensure the Bathurst Motor Festival will receive international exposure next year, with overseas drivers already plotting to tackle the Mountain.

Formula 3 Management has received several enquiries from international drivers keen to experience the mystique of Bathurst in a Formula 3 car – though the series already has significant international influence.

The current championship leader (James Winslow) and four of the last five Australian Formula 3 championship winners are from the United Kingdom and drivers from six different nations have competed in the last three seasons.

The Event will form part of the 2012 Formula 3 Australian Drivers Championship and is set to be a marquee race for the category’s continuing efforts to grow and develop locally. As part of the Bathurst Motor Festival, Formula 3 cars will contest three, 10-lap races totalling nearly 180 competitive kilometres of racing across the April 6-8 Event next year.

Series officials and Event management expect a grid of at least 20 cars to compete with initial interest already strong.

“We are very pleased to have Formula 3 make their debut at Mount Panorama as part of the Bathurst Motor Festival,” Event Director James O’Brien said.

“The Bathurst Motor Festival is about catering to all types of motorsport, from club level regulation categories to top National Championships, and Formula 3’s participation in the Event will push that further with an international flavour.”

Current Formula 3 Team Owners and drivers have embraced the addition of a Bathurst Event to the schedule.

“I have already received interest from enough drivers to fill all four of our cars,” Mark Rundle, the team manager of defending F3 champions Team BRM, said.

“A lot of the interest has come from Asia and Europe. The Bathurst brand is known worldwide and the opportunity for people to race a Formula 3 car there will be too big for some to pass up. Bathurst is one of the world’s most famous circuits so to be able to race it – and potentially win there – in a globally recognised category like F3 is very appealing to drivers.

“I think I speak for all of the team owners and drivers in saying that this is a massive step for Formula 3 and we’re all working hard together to embrace it.”

Current championship leader James Winslow has suggested the long term future and international appeal of Formula 3 cars at Bathurst could be significant.

“It is going to be incredible and I’ll do everything I can to make sure I’m on the grid,” Winslow said.

“There is a real opportunity for this to become a major annual Event for Australian Formula 3 which will only be good for the category.

“I have raced at home in Europe and in the USA and everyone knows about Bathurst. It’s one of those great circuits everyone wants to have a go at one day. To do it in an F3 car, which I think are about the best racing cars in the world, will be incredible.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge and produce very exciting racing.”

Commercial plans are currently being generated for the Event whilst Formula 3 Management will announce further plans and eligibility criteria for entrants in coming weeks.

The 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival will be held on April 6-8 and will include a mixture of national level categories and state based competition offering something for everyone.

ABOUT FORMULA 3

Formula 3 is a global formula and recognised as one of the premier development categories on the development path towards Formula One. Current Australian F1 drivers Mark Webber and Dan Ricciardo – as well as approximately 90% of the current F1 grid – all raced Formula 3 at some stage in their careers.

In Australia, former top local drivers include IndyCar driver Will Power, current V8 Supercar stars Karl Reindler and Michael Caruso, and GP3 racer Mitch Evans.

F3 cars weigh 540kg, are powered by 230hp, four-cylinder, two-litre engines and produce significant downforce and grip thanks to big wings and slick Kumho control tyres.

The category features the Italian-built Dallara Chassis and French-built Mygales, and engines from manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, Renault, Spiess Opel and Mugen Honda.

The Bathurst Motor Festival will continue to represent the widest possible variety of Australian Motorsport from state-level competition to fully-blown National Championship racing in a three-day weekend of racing on April 6, 7 and 8 next year.

“It was not a hard decision to continue on with the Event after the success of this year,” Event Director James O’Brien said.

“We had excellent feedback from competitors and a great turn out of fans across the three days, who clearly revelled in having some Motorsport on the Easter Long weekend.

“We have had a great response from categories who are keen to return and also from new categories looking to join the Event. As such we’ll have a full program with as much variety, if not more, than any other event of its type in Australia.

“Yeehah Events is looking forward to working with the Bathurst Regional Council team and putting on another great Event for the region and the Mount Panorama circuit.”

Once again both circuit racing and regularity ‘against the clock’ competition will feature as part of the Event, with the New South Wales Road Racing Club (NSWRRC) confirming their return with an even bigger field.

After receiving more than 40 entrants this year, the club anticipates over 50 cars to enter amidst a field full of variety and all kinds of different machinery.

“Everyone in the club is really excited to return to the Bathurst Motor Festival,” Said Steve Lacey, NSWRRC competitor and category manager.

“We’re going to go again and will have more places to fill but the demand is already high. Already we have had about 80% of entrants from this year confirm they will be returning.

“The Event offers us a very professional and well supported way to go racing at Mount Panorama and our sponsors and competitors love it.

“I’ll be back competing in my Torana and can’t wait to get out there in a 50-car field to compete at Bathurst.”

Bathurst Motor Festival organisers will confirm further aspects of the on and off-track event program in the following weeks.

The 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival will be staged between April 6-8, 2012.

Five race and two regularity categories wrapped up their respective weekends after another near-perfect Autumn day in Bathurst, with only some early fog slightly delaying proceedings before the sun broke through.

The biggest race of the day was the Production Sports Car one-hour enduro, won spectacularly by Andrew Miedecke and Jamie Augustine in their thundering Daytona Coupe’.

The victory wasn’t without its challenges, however, Augustine forced to serve a drive-through penalty early in the race after jumping the start before then taking the car back to pit lane for their compulsory pit stop and driver change.

Powered by a six-litre V8, Bathurst veteran Miedecke still managed to bring the car home a convincing margin ahead of a furious battle for second between regular GT racers Ted Huglin (Lamborghini Gallardo LP560) and Ray Angus (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup) that waged until the final corner.

Huglin, who turns 75 next Friday, was especially pleased to finish second after his $450,000 car was punted into the barriers on Saturday in an expensive incident.

Peter Lucas teamed with Garth Walden to finish fourth in a Lotus Exige to make it four brands in the top four, with Andrew Macpherson and local driver Mike Reedy finishing fifth in their similar car.

The second round of the Commodore Cup series also wrapped up their weekend with an another two-driver race, today’s action packed 14-lapper won convincingly by Geoff Emery and Steve Owen – despite starting from the back of the field.

They held of Marcus Zukanovic and Gerard McLeod in the race – but it was Ross McGregor and young Newcastle driver Drew Russell who combined to win the round – thanks to their stunning victory in yesterday’s first heat.

Zukanovic and McLeod were second overall whilst reigning series champion Adam Beechey and Dean Croswell finished third.

Peter Carr continued his domination of the Aussie Racing Cars class this weekend, but was beaten in the third race held this morning.

A reverse top-ten affair, Kyle Clews and Carr charged through the pack to run first and second at the end of the race but the man that dominated the opening two wasn’t able to catch Clews in front.

Carr retuned serve in the finale’ to win weekend overall in convincing fashion.

Luke Ellery rebounded from a disappointing start to the weekend by winning the third and final Formula Ford race, as the category showed why it’s been missed from Mountain racing for the last eight years.

Victorian Rob Storey won the weekend overall thanks to his two brilliant victories in races one and two, with Greg Woodrow, Brett Francis and Ryan Campbell finishing in the top five overall.

Storey jumped to an early lead in today’s final race but Ellery was steadily working his way up from fifth place – moving to third on lap three before passing two cars to take the lead he’d never lose the next lap.

Shaun Jamieson continued on his merry way to win the Ashley Cooper 2011 Saloon Car challenge, sweeping both races today comfortably – as well as the overall weekend thanks to four wins from four starts.

Matt Lovell finished second overall for the weekend with Simon Tabinor third in his Commodore.

On Saturday night a sold-out dinner held in Bathurst raised funds for the Organ Donation cause supported by the Saloon Car ranks this weekend, in honour of the late Ashley Cooper.

Alex Veryinis continued his strong weekend in the New South Wales Road Racing Club’s final regularity session today, again scoring the lowest out of the 30 cars that took to the track.

Chris Kingsland (BMW) and Gerard Skelley (BMW) both finished just a handful of points behind the HSV driver as the regularity fields enjoyed their first chance to take the Mountain this weekend.

The Porsche Club of NSW held two sessions today, Phil Treloar (Porsche 996) continuing his good form by scoring the lowest number of penalty points out of any regularity session (just 24) this morning. Long-time Porsche competitor Geoff Morgan was on top in the second session of the day.

Event organisers have been pleased with the attendance so far this weekend, a strong crowd gathering at key points at both the top and bottom of Mount Panorama today basking in the sunshine and enjoying the entertaining racing.

Today’s highlight was a thrilling Commodore Cup two-driver race that had six ‘official’ lead changes in sixteen laps and some incredible side-by-side racing in the battle for a Bathurst victory.

The race was won by Ross McGregor and Drew Russell after a tense battle that had everything the longer-distance Bathurst Enduro’s regularly feature.

Russell and first-time Bathurst racer Matt Hayes fought a massive battle for the lead that saw several tense moments: A five-car battle for the win had been led by the Marcus Zukanovic / Gerard McLeod VS, before the latter spun in the final corner with a handful of laps to go in an incident that opened up the race.

In one swoop Russell charged from sixth to second before racing Hayes side-by-side across the top of the Mountain and into the Esses. In a place where it’s rare to see cars side-by-side, Russell was forced to take to the run off area before rejoining the fight.

Though the Hayes / D’Agostin team questioned the finishing order post-race, results stand with the McGregor / Russell team classified first at the end of a thrilling encounter with their race rivals in second.

Defending Champion Adam Beechey and Dean Croswell charged to an outstanding third position – after starting thirteenth.

The first Formula Ford races on Mount Panorama in eight years produced their fair share of drama, including the remarkable sight of the first and second-placed cars in race one pulling into the paddock thinking their race was finished – one lap before it actually was.

Greg Woodrow punched the air with delight on lap six having crossed the line ahead of Luke Ellery – but both promptly turned off to exit the circuit as the rest of the field flew past as there was actually one lap to go.

That result left Rob Storey in the race lead to hold off Brett Francis and V8 racer Tom Tweedie’s 1986 Lola for third. Storey backed up that result with a win in the second, but it was a charge from the back of the field from Woodrow and Ellery that provided the highlights, carving their way through to finish third and fourth, respectively.

There were two, 30-minute Production Sports Car races contested today, one for each driver nominated for tomorrow’s massive two-driver, one-hour Endurance race that is set to be a highlight of the Event.

Rod Wilson took his brand-new Corvette Z06 GT3 to its maiden victory in race one, holding off Jamie Augustine in the rapid Daytona Coupe and Iain Pretty in his stunning Ford GT40 replica.

Race two saw the Daytona go one better – Andrew Miedecke leading home a charging pack of lightweight Lotus’ Elise racers headed by Simon Scuffham. Meanwhile, oOne of the drives’ of the event went to Garth Walden, who charged through from the back of the field to finish third in just ten laps of racing.

The day wasn’t without its share of drama, however, with both Lamborghini’s – driven by Ross Zampatti and Ted Huglin, respectively – taken out in hefty crashes at the top of Mount Panorama.

Shaun Jamieson continued his winning ways in the Ashley Cooper Saloon Car Challenge today, taking out race two in commanding fashion. Queenslander Matt Lovell and Victorian Simon Tabinor finished second and third, respectively, but it was Jamieson who was the class of the field.

The Adelaidian re-set his own lap record, established yesterday, and looks good to take out the weekend however he knows better than most never to underestimate the Mountain.

Peter Carr continued to teach the field a lesson in the Aussie Racing Car Super Series second round, winning both races today – though the field is getting closer to the dominating driver as the weekend goes on.

Carr won the first race by just one second over Tyler Owen and Simon Smith, whilst Owen got to within two-tenths of Carr in race two – setting up the prospect of a competitive finale’ tomorrow to end the weekend.

Alex Veryinis and David Petrikas shared the honours in the NSW Road Racing Club regularity sessions held today, whilst Colin Duck in his Porsche 996 GT3 closed out a tight field in the second Porsche Club NSW regularity – five competitors covered by less than 20 penalty points

Action concludes tomorrow at the Bathurst Motor Festival with final races and sessions from each class, including the second 45-minute Commodore Cup mini-enduro and the major one-hour Production Sports Car enduro race in the afternoon

Heavy fog rolled into Bathurst this morning, completely shrouding the circuit and delaying the first on-track action by ninety minutes – but that failed to dampen the spirits of an enthusiastic public holiday crowd and more than 250 competitors taking to the track today for practice and qualifying.

The results from today have set up an exciting weekend with competitive fields across the board promising close competition across the weekend.

The star of the day was arguably Aussie Racing Cars competitor Peter Carr, who took the class pole position by a massive 1.8 seconds in his pint-sized Toyota Aurion.

In a series where the racing is usually decided in fractions of a second, Carr dominated today and put the big 33-strong field – including round one winner Kyle Clews and former champ Paul Kemal – a long way behind.

This weekend is the second round of the Aussie Racing Cars national championship for 2011, but the first time the category has raced at Mount Panorama in three years.

Formula Ford open-wheelers returned to Bathurst today for the first time since 2004 and it was international Aussie Luke Ellery who snared pole position, ahead of a 40-car field.

The Victorian driver is this year racing in the competitive US-based Formula Ford 2000 series and has plotted a career pathway to IndyCar racing – but returned to Australia this weekend to get valuable experience on our toughest circuit.

Ellery out-qualified a pair of long-time Formula Ford racers in Greg Woodrow and Brett Francis, with Rob Storey and Ryan Campbell completing the top five.

Other notables in the field this weekend include Fujitsu racer Tom Tweedie (6th in a 1986 Van Diemen), National Formula Ford team owner Bruin Beasley (12th) and Bob Power – the father of Aussie IndyCar race winner Will.

In the Commodore Cup National Series, two incident-filled qualifying sessions decided the grid for the first of two, 45-minute long races to be contested tomorrow and Sunday.

With one session for each driver, the combined times of the two sessions set the grid with multiple champion Geoff Emery combining with V8 Supercar ace Steve Owen to take pole position, ahead of former champion Marcus Zukanovic and his co-driver and mechanic Gerard McLeod and the dark-horse combo of Matt Hayes and Christian D’Agostin.

Emery and Owen’s pole position was made even more impressive after the five-time champion backed his car into the Murray’s corner sand trap, bringing out the red flag in the second session.

Earlier, the first session was cut short after only one competitive lap when Craig Domaschenz – who is sharing driving duties with his brother Jason this weekend – rolled his VS Commodore at McPhillamy Park. Whilst Craig was unhurt, his car was slightly more worse for wear though the team is scrambling to repair it for the first race tomorrow.

After winning the first round of the Saloon Car’s National Series three weeks ago in Goulburn, South Australian driver Shaun Jamieson continued on his winning ways this weekend by scoring pole position for the first non-championship Ashley Cooper tribute Saloon Car races, to be held tomorrow.

Commodore-driver Jamieson headed a competitive field and three chasing Fords driven by Lindsay Kearns, Matt Lovell and Queenslander Colby Cowham.

Touring Car Masters racer and Bathurst legend Andrew Miedecke teamed with Jamie Augustine in a 6-litre powered Daytona Coupe to score pole in an incredibly competitive Production Sports Car grid, topping the Porsche of Neal Muston by just two-tenths of a second.

Scott Bargwanna qualified his Lotus third, just ahead of Porsche Carrera Cup racer Ray Angus.

In a grid filled with exotic machinery, Iain Pretty was fifth in his Ford GT40 replica, just ahead of the Turbo Supra to be shared by Ballard / Flemming, Ted Huglin’s Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 and the brand new Corvette GT3 of Jim Manolios and Rod Wilson.

Whilst the racing categories sorted their order for the first races tomorrow, the regularity competition has already begun in earnest with both the New South Wales Road Racing Club (NSWRRC) and Porsche Club NSW vehicles taking to the track for their first against-the-clock competitions.

Aiming to set times as close to a nominated benchmark to the time nominated after practice, things are particularly tight at the top of the NSWRRC ledger with HSV driver Alex Veryinis and the Toyota Sprinter of Adam Hocker tied on 126 points each – just ahead of the Holden Monaro of Richard Woodward, who sits third.

In the Porsche regularity Phil Treloar was the most impressive of the day, logging just 62 points to take a commanding lead into day two.

Porsche Boxter driver Dylan de Szabo sits second (102 points) with Geoff Morgan third in his 911.

On-track action begins tomorrow at 0835am with a Road Racing Club Regularity, followed by the first 30-minute Production Sports Car heat race.

Category and spectator information are available on the comprehensive website; www.bathurstmotorfestival.com.au

271 Entrants supported by an anticipated 1500-plus team members, family, Event staff and volunteer officials are already beginning to descend on the township ahead of competition beginning this Friday, April 22.

The event features a wide array of vehicles included in five race and two regularity classes set to entertain.

AUSSIE RACING CARS:

Known for producing incredible racing, the Aussie Racing Cars will return to the Mountain for the first time in three years ready to entertain again.

The series has a record for producing racing at Bathurst that long-time competitor James Ward compares to ‘NASCAR Superspeedway racing at Talladega’. A unique rear-wing designed especially for Bathurst generates significant drag, allowing cars behind to draft the car in front and often run three or four abreast.

Kyle Clews (NSW) leads the standings coming into the series’ second round, ahead of Maurice Masini and Adelaidian Adrian Cottrell.

COMMODORE CUP:

Several front-line stars from the V8 Supercars will get some additional practice on the mountain this Easter by co-driving in the two, 45-minute Commodore Cup endurance races. A one-make category for 4.2-Litre (253ci) V8 powered VH and VS Commodores, the series is famous for providing thrilling racing and developing V8 stars of the future.

Current VIP Petfoods sponsored V8 driver Steve Owen will drive with Fellow V8 racer, and five-time Commodore Cup champion Geoff Emery whilst David Russell – who won both Fujitsu races last October – will drive with Tony Bates.

Young gun Fujitsu racer and former Formula Ford champion Tim Blanchard will drive with Josh Hughes, whilst four-time Australian Rally Champion Simon Evans will compete with Victorian Jeff Watters.

SALOON CARS:

Saloon Car organisers have inaugurated the Ashley Cooper 2011 Bathurst Saloon Car Challenge, to honour the life of the former Saloon Car, Commodore Cup and V8 Supercar racer.

The series will support the ‘Donate Life’ cause, aiming to raise awareness about organ donation. As an organ donor, Cooper’s organs helped save the lives of six people with differing illnesses following his untimely passing in a racing crash in 2008 – among them a six-year old Girl who received his liver.

Saloon Cars feature six-cylinder Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons going doorhandle to doorhandle every lap in the classic Holden versus Ford battle that is iconic to Australian Motorsport. Event organisers are expecting a capacity grid for the Bathurst Challenge, and whilst it will be a stand-alone Event several National Championship-contending drivers are expected to enter in what could be the strongest field of the year.

PRODUCTION SPORTS CARS:

An impressive 51 cars have been entered for the Production Sports Car battle, which will feature an incredible array of vehicles ranging from a $500,000 V10 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 to a horde of Mazda MX-5 sports cars that are a mainstay of the class.

Victorian driver Ted Huglin will race the stunning Lambo and will be joined by a host of national-level drivers in exotic machinery – with many opting for two drivers in the mini-endurance format that features two, 30-minute races on Saturday and a one-hour enduro Event on Sunday afternoon.

Iain Pretty’s GT40 Replica, Rod Wilson and Jim Manolios in a brand-new Corvette GT3 and Jamie Augustine and Bathurst 1000 veteran Andrew Miedecke in a Daytona Coupe are but a few favourites in the stunning entry list.

FORMULA FORD:

The return of Formula Ford open wheelers to the Mountain for the first time in years has also drawn a sensational response and some surprising names will make up the near-capacity, 41-car, grid.

Whilst several National Formula Ford championship runners will start – including the likes of Andre Borell and Luke Ellery – Fujitsu V8 supercar driver Tom Tweedie is another to use the weekend as a way to get miles ahead of the October V8 Supercar Event his Historic 1986 Van Diemen.

The Formula Ford field is made up of state-level ‘Kent’ powered vehicles with an incredible 16 different chassis manufactures represented in the field combined of modern chassis from the likes of Mygale and Spectrum, to historic Lola’s, Lotuses and Birrana’s.

REGULARITIES:

The Porsche Club of NSW and the New South Wales Road Racing Club will both stage against-the-clock regularity trials across the Bathurst Motor Festival event, with more than 40 cars confirmed in each class.

EVENT OVERVIEW:

Aussie Racing Cars                     4 x Races (Sprint)
Commodore Cup                          2 x Races (Mini Enduro)
Formula Ford                                 2 x Races (Sprint)
Production Sports                         3 x Races (2 x Sprint & 1 x Mini Enduro)
Saloon Cars                                   3 x Races (Sprint)
NSW Road Racing Club              3 x Modern Regularity
Porsche Club NSW                       3 x Modern Regularity
EVENT ENTRY:

ENTRY TO THE BATHURST MOTOR FESTIVAL precinct on April 22-24 will be by bank note donation, as the Event strives to support the important work undertaken by the Cancer Council of New South Wales.

Spectators will be able to access the circuit for as little as $5 per person per day, or pay more should they wish to support the cause further. A Cancer Council Relay for Life Event was held at the Bathurst showgrounds on April 2-3, three weeks prior to the Bathurst Motor Festival.

FAST FACTS:

Across the five race and two regularity classes, entries have been received from every state and territory of Australia.

The Bathurst Motor Festival marks the return of the Event following its inception in 2006 as the Bathurst international Motor Festival. That Event morphed into the Armor All Bathurst 12 hour and moved to it’s current February date three years ago. The Motor Festival event marks the first time since 2003 that two major Events with national category participation have been held on the Mountain within two months.

With the successful V8 Supercar / Formula One driver swap held recently, this will be the third major Event in three months to attract a significant amont of ‘traffic’ and national media exposure to the Bathurst region.

The event continues the successful cooperation between the Bathurst Regional Council and Yeehah Events.

More than 200 people from all over Australia volunteer their services to deliver the Event in roles such as track marshals, supply marshals, recovery marshals, fire marshals, gate officials, grandstand officials, media assistants, information booth attendants and much more. Volunteer training sessions occur in the week preceding the Event.
MOUNT PANORAMA FACTS:

The Mount Panorama track is a public road for the majority of the year and as such regular road rules apply (incl.2 way traffic, 60km/hr speed limit).

It is 174 metres from the bottom of the circuit (Pit Straight) to the top of Skyline, “as the crow flies”. Race direction (during major events) is anti-clockwise.
Mount Panorama is unique in its rural setting. There are over 40 private residences located around the circuit (inside and outside). Private businesses also exist on the Mount – including: luxury accommodation, a winery, restaurant and fruit orchard. Several local sporting associations also use the Mount as a base for their activities, including the Sporting Shooters Association, Bathurst Rifle Club, Bathurst Gun Club, Panorama Motorcycle Club, and, of course, the Bathurst Light Car Club.
The National Motor Racing Museum sits on Murray’s Corner, showcasing an impressive array of motorcycle and car racing memorabilia from all over the country.
Circuit Length: 6.213km
Direction of Track: anti-clockwise
Length of Conrod Straight = 1.916km
Length of Mountain Straight = 1.111km
Highest Point: 862m above sea level
Grades of up to 1 in 6.13
SUMMARY:

The Bathurst Motor Festival program features Practice and Qualifying on Friday (April 22) prior to 15 races and 6 regularity time-trial sessions on Saturday and Sunday, April 23-24.

The Bathurst Motor Festival will be held at Mount Panorama on April 22-24 and will feature a range of diverse racing and regularity categories, including the Aussie Racing Cars, Commodore Cup, NSW Production Sports Cars, Formula Ford 1600 and Saloon Cars, plus two regularity classes from the Porsche Club of NSW and the NSW Road Racing Club.

Entry to the Bathurst Motor Festival will be by ‘bank note’ donation – anything from $5 upwards – with proceeds going directly to the Cancer Council of New South Wales and their Relay for Life program.