Bathurst 1000: The Ultimate Supercars Destination
Every October, the town of Bathurst in New South Wales becomes the epicentre of Australian motorsport. Tens of thousands of fans pack their bags and head to Mount Panorama to witness one of the most thrilling, emotional, and iconic races in the world: the Repco Bathurst 1000. The Great Race offers something truly unique, a mix of history, heroism, heartbreak, and horsepower.
The Mountain: A Circuit Like No Other
Mount Panorama is one of a kind. It’s a public road for most of the year, complete with driveways, houses, and a strict 60 km/h speed limit. But during race week, it becomes a ferocious 6.213 km beast with high-speed straights, blind crests, technical descents, and concrete walls that show no mercy.
What makes Bathurst so special is its dramatic elevation, over 170 metres from the bottom to the top, and the iconic corners that test even the most experienced drivers. From the sharp left of Hell Corner, to the brutal incline of The Cutting, the breathtaking drop at Skyline, and the 300+ km/h thrill down Conrod Straight, every inch of this track demands precision. No other circuit on the calendar offers such a mix of risk and reward.
The Lap of the Gods
Among all the magic moments that have unfolded at Mount Panorama, Greg Murphy’s “Lap of the Gods” in 2003 sits at the very top. During the Top 10 Shootout that year, the one-lap qualifying format reserved for the ten fastest drivers, Murphy delivered an electrifying performance. In a lap that stunned both fans and competitors, he clocked a 2:06.8594. At the time, it was unheard of, and even today it’s remembered as one of the most perfect laps ever completed on the mountain.
Legendary commentator Neil Crompton summed it up perfectly in real time: “That is the lap... of the gods.” No one who watched it live has ever forgotten it, a goosebump moment that still plays on highlight reels every October.
Top 10 Shootout: One Lap, No Mistakes
The Top 10 Shootout itself is a tradition that fans love, a pure test of driver and machine. After regular qualifying, the ten fastest cars are sent out one at a time for a single flying lap. No traffic. No second chances. Just the raw pressure of delivering perfection in front of thousands of spectators and millions of viewers.
Through the years, the Shootout has produced some of Bathurst’s most iconic moments. Beyond Murphy’s 2003 masterpiece, there’s Scott McLaughlin’s blistering 2:03.3782 in 2019, the fastest ever Supercar lap at the mountain. Then Craig Lowndes' breakout Shootout performance in 1996, where he proved he was more than just a promising rookie.
For many fans, Shootout Saturday is the real highlight of the weekend, a showcase of bravery, skill, and commitment.
Legends, Winners, and Bathurst Royalty
Bathurst has a way of turning great drivers into legends. No one embodies that more than Peter Brock, who won the race an astonishing nine times and became known as the King of the Mountain. His name is synonymous with Mount Panorama, and his victories helped shape the mythology of the race.
Several others have etched their names into Bathurst history. Craig Lowndes, often seen as Brock’s spiritual successor, has won the race seven times. Mark Skaife took six victories during a dominant era, while Jim Richards also earned seven wins and competed across four decades. Modern greats like Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen, and Chaz Mostert have added their chapters to the story, keeping the competition fierce and the legacy alive.
In recent years, Brodie Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood helped Erebus Motorsport rise to the top, challenging powerhouse teams like Triple Eight and Dick Johnson Racing, and showing that new blood continues to shape the future of the Great Race.
Record Breakers and Mountain Stats
While the glory often goes to the winners, Bathurst also rewards the fastest. The fastest lap during a race is held by Shane van Gisbergen, who clocked a stunning 2:04.7602 in 2021. The fastest qualifying time remains Scott McLaughlin’s scorching 2:03.3782, set during the Top 10 Shootout in 2019, a lap many thought was simply not possible at the time.
To win Bathurst, a team must complete 161 laps, covering just over 1000 kilometres, hence the name. Each car is shared between two drivers, who must carefully manage stints, strategy, and fatigue. Throw in changing weather, the threat of safety cars, and the ever-present danger of the concrete walls, and it's easy to see why even finishing the race is an achievement.
Unforgettable Bathurst Moments
Bathurst has given fans countless moments that live on in motorsport folklore. In 1979, Peter Brock and Jim Richards delivered a performance for the ages, lapping the entire field and finishing minutes ahead of their nearest rivals. It was dominance on a scale rarely seen in modern motorsport.
Then there was 1992, perhaps the most controversial finish in Bathurst history. As rain poured down, the race was red-flagged with Jim Richards and Mark Skaife declared winners in the all-conquering Nissan GT-R. When fans booed during the trophy presentation, Richards famously responded with: “You're a pack of arseholes.” That raw honesty has only added to the race’s mythology.
The 2006 race was drenched in emotion as Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won shortly after the passing of Peter Brock. For many, it felt like the mountain itself had chosen the result.
In 2014, a young Chaz Mostert, starting from last on the grid, clawed his way to the front and took victory with Paul Morris in one of the most dramatic finishes ever. His final-lap overtake on Jamie Whincup was the stuff of fairytales.
The Bathurst Atmosphere
Bathurst isn’t just about the race; it’s about the atmosphere. For one week each year, Mount Panorama becomes a full-blown festival. More than 200,000 people pack the hills, bringing with them tents, flags, BBQs, and decades of tradition. Some fans arrive weeks in advance to secure their favourite camp spots at The Chase or Skyline. There’s an unspoken camaraderie up on the hill, a shared love for motorsport that crosses generations.
When the cars fire up and echo across the valley, there's an energy unlike anything else. Whether you’re perched on the Mountain or enjoying the comfort of a VIP suite, the experience is unforgettable.
Bathurst with Supercars Travel
For those wanting to do Bathurst properly, Supercars Travel offers curated Packages that take the stress out of planning and deliver exclusive access you won’t get anywhere else. From Team Garage Tours to Pit Lane Walks, Podium Celebrations, and hospitality suites with trackside views, it’s the ultimate way to experience the Great Race.
These packages are ideal for fans who want more than a grandstand seat. With premium inclusions like gourmet catering, private viewing areas, and insider access, Supercars Travel ensures you’re part of the action, not just watching from the sidelines.
Why You Must Experience Bathurst
There’s a reason Bathurst is so special. It's not just the race, or the speed, or even the mountain itself. It’s the history, the unpredictability, the moments that catch your breath and the memories that never leave you. Bathurst is where heroes are made and legends live forever.
Whether you’re watching a sunrise over Skyline or counting down the final laps with your heart in your throat, the Bathurst 1000 is a must for any motorsport fan. If you’ve never been, now’s the time. And if you’re returning? You already know why it’s worth it.
With Supercars Travel, you can do Bathurst better.
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