Bathurst, a small city nestled in the picturesque Central Tablelands of New South Wales, recently played host to a momentous occasion in the world of motorsport. Thousands of devoted petrolheads descended upon the city to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Great Race – the iconic Bathurst 1000.
This annual event, which holds a special place in the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts, has consistently been the highlight of the Supercars calendar.
Despite the challenges faced last year due to adverse weather conditions, the 2022 edition of the Bathurst 1000 witnessed an unprecedented turnout. In fact, the event drew a staggering crowd of 195,578, breaking previous attendance records.
Even Supercars CEO Shane Howard was surprised, considering that race fans had to endure “some of the worst weather conditions we have ever experienced at the Great Race.”
On race day this year, the iconic course basked in the glorious October sunshine, free from any issues. While official attendance numbers for 2023 have yet to be confirmed, there is potential for them to approach the all-time record of 207,205, which was established in 2012.
The crowd at the event was remarkable not only for its size but also for its diversity, featuring a mix of dedicated petrolheads, pit girls, and families out for a memorable day.
Attendees were treated to captivating flyovers by jet planes and impressive military displays, as well as a wide array of merchandise stalls.
Notably, the 2023 edition of the race represents a historic moment as it is the first time a Holden car has been absent from Bathurst, following the discontinuation of this iconic Australian brand by its parent company, General Motors.