Attending v8's at Bathurst - Advice?

[supraboy]

Hello,

I'm going to be going to the Bathurst 1000 this year, wondering if anybody else has been to this event and can give some advice?

seating or just general admission? are the 2 days testing worth going to? Wheres the best viewing spot? Any recommendations for somewhere to stay?

Thank You

Chris

[IanUAE]

As it stands I will also be going to the Bathurst 1000 this year for the 1st time. In my case I will be wielding a spanner / tyre gun / fuel hose as I will be helping a mate race his Ute and helping a V8 team.

From what I have been told watching from the Mountain can be fun (just make sure you stand in the correct section if you are wearing red or blue).

[chevronb37]

I went in 2013 and wrote a comprehensive report on the event. I'll link it shortly. Currently at Rally Finland so bit distracted!

[supraboy]

IanUAE said:

As it stands I will also be going to the Bathurst 1000 this year for the 1st time. In my case I will be wielding a spanner / tyre gun / fuel hose as I will be helping a mate race his Ute and helping a V8 team.

From what I have been told watching from the Mountain can be fun (just make sure you stand in the correct section if you are wearing red or blue).

I am considering pimping myself out for it to be honest, I have a few seasons experience as a Race Mechanic and like the idea of working it, but if we don't get sponsorship its highly unlikely i'll ever get to go again, so kind of want to experience the last year of Ford vs Holden properly.

Chevron - Yes I thought id seen an event write up but couldn't remember who wrote it to try find it! Il take another look now I know who it was.

[supraboy]

http://www.motorcardiaries.co.uk/2013/supercheap-a...

There it is for anyone else... Its a great read and has got me all excited for Bathurst!

Are the seats in the Grandstand numbered so you are allocated certain seats?

And is there a cheap accommodation option other then camping? Me and my partner have just spent 6 months on the road in a campervan driving from Perth to Darwin to Adelaide and now across to Sydney. Just sold it, maybe should have held on to it for after Bathurst!

I've mentioned camping, but the other half has had enough of camping etc now after 6 months in the van.

[chevronb37]

Accommodation is tough. The town is small so doubt you'd find anything now - at a premium maybe! All the campsites sell out quickly too; I went on a waiting list and booked within a few minutes of passes going on sale. I was planning for a year though so had the luxury of time :-D

I'd suggest looking into all your options in detail to see what's available. It's worth the effort! Oh and we had allocated grandstand seats. In hindsight they weren't necessary per se as general admission is excellent but it was nice to have a good view for quali and the first hour of the race.

Anything specific, drop me a PM. Enjoy!

[shake n bake]

Can't offer advice but extremely envious! Enjoy.

[vtgts300kw]

You'll be hard pressed to find any accomodation near Bathurst, unless you fluke onto something.

Bathurst isn't too far away from the very western edges of Sydney ( 2 hours ), where there would be more options. It might be a long day, as sometimes the race doesn't finish until it's almost dark, but is an option if you are desperate.

[Coatesy351]

Ok I've been 3 times camping is the most fun but if you haven't booked a spot buy now then its probably too late. I think your only option if you have not got any accommodation is further outside bathurst and an early start and drive to the track. We have had grandstand seats each time. I think it's worth it. You catch a bus between the top and the bottom and the race is long enough the you can visit the top of the mountain so no need to sit in your seats all day.

[Coatesy351]

The view from Murrays corner grandstand.




Spectating at Skyline



The chase campground

[Speed Badger]

Wow have a great time, definitely on my bucket list.

I believe they are only allowing racegoers to take in no more than 24 cans of beer on raceday. Advice - go to circuit a week before race. Take crates of beer & spade. Dig hole, put beer in. Raceday take shovel, dig up beer.

[hammo19]

Went in 2005. Hired a private plane and flew from Sydney to Bathurst Airport and got a taxi from there.

Fantastic day out, make sure you go up the mountain the atmosphere is unbelievable. Long day, lots of walking, lots of noise, mad traffic on the way out - oh and plenty of alcohol on sale.

Will be back next year - could be the last time we see Fords and Holdens.

[supraboy]

Thanks for all the advice, really looking forward to it now!

Yep accommodation is as predicted, fully booked! Can get somewhere on AirBnB just West of the Blue Mountains for reasonable prices, about an hour away from circuit so going to go for that I think.

Just want to ask, does anyone remember roughly what the schedule for the Sunday goes like?

Its not been released yet and Im wanting to book our tickets today. But I want to know if support races and other on track action goes on, on the sunday the big race starts.

Trying to weigh up whether it is worth going to Saturday or not. Id like to see the Classic V8's and the Utes, not really bothered about Porsches.

Thanks

Chris

[bigvanfan]

supraboy said:

Thanks for all the advice, really looking forward to it now!

Yep accommodation is as predicted, fully booked! Can get somewhere on AirBnB just West of the Blue Mountains for reasonable prices, about an hour away from circuit so going to go for that I think.

Just want to ask, does anyone remember roughly what the schedule for the Sunday goes like?

Its not been released yet and Im wanting to book our tickets today. But I want to know if support races and other on track action goes on, on the sunday the big race starts.

Trying to weigh up whether it is worth going to Saturday or not. Id like to see the Classic V8's and the Utes, not really bothered about Porsches.

Thanks

Chris

Yes definitely go on the Saturday as the top ten qualifying is on(or used to be)it's fantastic, and aim to be at the mountain for it, and don't worry about the so called rivalry it all seemed good natured to me! , I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it have fun

[Coatesy351]

supraboy said:

Thanks for all the advice, really looking forward to it now!

Yep accommodation is as predicted, fully booked! Can get somewhere on AirBnB just West of the Blue Mountains for reasonable prices, about an hour away from circuit so going to go for that I think.

Just want to ask, does anyone remember roughly what the schedule for the Sunday goes like?

Its not been released yet and Im wanting to book our tickets today. But I want to know if support races and other on track action goes on, on the sunday the big race starts.

Trying to weigh up whether it is worth going to Saturday or not. Id like to see the Classic V8's and the Utes, not really bothered about Porsches.

Thanks

Chris

Last years Sunday schedule

07:20 07:40 Touring Car Masters Race 3
07:50 08:10 V8 Supercars Championship Warm Up
08:20 08:40 V8 Ute Racing Series Race 3
08:50 09:15 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Race 3
10:30 18:00 V8 Supercars Championship Race 30

[ZX10R NIN]

you'll have a great time over there.