Post by Kartracer1 on Jan 30, 2007 13:08:13 GMT 9.5
Mount Panorama
Mount Panorama is the only permanent public road racing circuit in Australia.
View the circuit | History | About Mount Panorama
History
In the depressed years of the early 1930s, Bathurst City Council, under the leadership of the then Mayor, Martin Griffin, fostered the idea of a scenic road to the crest of Bald Hills, a few kilometres to the south-west of the city, as an unemployment relief project to be funded by a State Government grant, with the possibility of using the road as a racing circuit to replace the old Vale Circuit, which was proving very inconvenient.
A very demanding and spectacular circuit was the result of careful early planning by the Council with the assistance of outside advisers, providing a most spectacular scenic drive with outstanding views of the city and the verdant Bathurst plains.
A grant by Walter McPhillamy of Orton Park, Bathurst, provided the council with a large area of parkland at the top of the Mount for viewing and tourist facilities. With judicious purchasing and land resuming, these facilities have been greatly added to throughout the circuit over succeeding years by the Council and the Australian Racing Drivers' Club.
Today, Bathurst possesses a world-class racing circuit with top-class facilities despite a somewhat turbulent post-World War II period due to a number of bans being placed on the track by police regarding spectator safety, in addition to the Bathurst Trades and Labor Council seeking remuneration for the staging of race meetings on their traditional annual sports meeting weekend.
Since its official opening as a race circuit in March 1938, the Auto Cycle Union and the various sporting car clubs have used the circuit regularly , mainly on a twice-a-year basis; motor-cycles at Easter and cars on the October holiday weekend.
About Mount Panorama top
Mount Panorama has been the venue for many great motor-cycle and car racing events. On a number of occasions, the Australian Grand Prix for motor-cycles has been held there, as well as the Australian Grand Prix for 'open-wheeler' racing cars.
No touring car race in the world has enjoyed a greater profile than the Bathurst 1000. This event, under various sponsorships, first came to Bathurst from Phillip Island (Victoria) on the Labor Day holiday weekend in 1963.
Mount Panorama came of age in 1987 with the staging of the James Hardie 1000 as a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Millions of dollars were spent on upgrading the circuit and its facilities. The first major track change since the track was initially opened came into use at this event, with the Caltex Chase, a chicane introduced at the braking end of Conrod Straight. Designed by Bathurst City Council Engineer, Peter Gannon, this new addition provided a buffer to the entry of Pit Straight as well as a whole new spectator viewing area which has created some spectacular high-speed racing over the years.
The circuit has been the testing ground for a number of Australian world champions over the years. World champion motor-cyclists Keith Campbell (350cc, 1951), Tom Phillis (250cc, 1961), Kel Carruthers (250cc, 1969) and Wayne Gardiner (500cc, 1987) have all raced here. On four wheels, three-time world champion Sir Jack Brabham (1959, 1960 & 1966) and 1980 world champion Alan Jones have also raced on the circuit.
The 'Mount' presents an exhilarating experience to those who drive or ride around it. It is 6.213 kilometres in length, 874 metres above sea level and has grades of up to 1 in 6.13.
Today, two major endurance race meetings are held each year; the 24 Hour Procar endurance race and the 1,000 kilometre V8 Supercar race.
Other events such as hill climbs and sprints are offered throughout the year by the Bathurst Light Car Club and motorcross events by the Panorama Motorcycle Club on the top of the Mount behind McPhillamy Park.
For most of the year Mount Panorama presents an environment of rural tranquility, however at race time, it is transformed by noise, fumes and frantic activity. Back to the Top...
Mount Panorama is the only permanent public road racing circuit in Australia.
View the circuit | History | About Mount Panorama
History
In the depressed years of the early 1930s, Bathurst City Council, under the leadership of the then Mayor, Martin Griffin, fostered the idea of a scenic road to the crest of Bald Hills, a few kilometres to the south-west of the city, as an unemployment relief project to be funded by a State Government grant, with the possibility of using the road as a racing circuit to replace the old Vale Circuit, which was proving very inconvenient.
A very demanding and spectacular circuit was the result of careful early planning by the Council with the assistance of outside advisers, providing a most spectacular scenic drive with outstanding views of the city and the verdant Bathurst plains.
A grant by Walter McPhillamy of Orton Park, Bathurst, provided the council with a large area of parkland at the top of the Mount for viewing and tourist facilities. With judicious purchasing and land resuming, these facilities have been greatly added to throughout the circuit over succeeding years by the Council and the Australian Racing Drivers' Club.
Today, Bathurst possesses a world-class racing circuit with top-class facilities despite a somewhat turbulent post-World War II period due to a number of bans being placed on the track by police regarding spectator safety, in addition to the Bathurst Trades and Labor Council seeking remuneration for the staging of race meetings on their traditional annual sports meeting weekend.
Since its official opening as a race circuit in March 1938, the Auto Cycle Union and the various sporting car clubs have used the circuit regularly , mainly on a twice-a-year basis; motor-cycles at Easter and cars on the October holiday weekend.
About Mount Panorama top
Mount Panorama has been the venue for many great motor-cycle and car racing events. On a number of occasions, the Australian Grand Prix for motor-cycles has been held there, as well as the Australian Grand Prix for 'open-wheeler' racing cars.
No touring car race in the world has enjoyed a greater profile than the Bathurst 1000. This event, under various sponsorships, first came to Bathurst from Phillip Island (Victoria) on the Labor Day holiday weekend in 1963.
Mount Panorama came of age in 1987 with the staging of the James Hardie 1000 as a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. Millions of dollars were spent on upgrading the circuit and its facilities. The first major track change since the track was initially opened came into use at this event, with the Caltex Chase, a chicane introduced at the braking end of Conrod Straight. Designed by Bathurst City Council Engineer, Peter Gannon, this new addition provided a buffer to the entry of Pit Straight as well as a whole new spectator viewing area which has created some spectacular high-speed racing over the years.
The circuit has been the testing ground for a number of Australian world champions over the years. World champion motor-cyclists Keith Campbell (350cc, 1951), Tom Phillis (250cc, 1961), Kel Carruthers (250cc, 1969) and Wayne Gardiner (500cc, 1987) have all raced here. On four wheels, three-time world champion Sir Jack Brabham (1959, 1960 & 1966) and 1980 world champion Alan Jones have also raced on the circuit.
The 'Mount' presents an exhilarating experience to those who drive or ride around it. It is 6.213 kilometres in length, 874 metres above sea level and has grades of up to 1 in 6.13.
Today, two major endurance race meetings are held each year; the 24 Hour Procar endurance race and the 1,000 kilometre V8 Supercar race.
Other events such as hill climbs and sprints are offered throughout the year by the Bathurst Light Car Club and motorcross events by the Panorama Motorcycle Club on the top of the Mount behind McPhillamy Park.
For most of the year Mount Panorama presents an environment of rural tranquility, however at race time, it is transformed by noise, fumes and frantic activity. Back to the Top...
