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Big Easter Weekend Ahead In Bathurst |
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Friday, 06 April 2007 |
The opening day of racing at the WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival has whet the appetite of motoring fans towards a huge weekend of activity at the famed Mt Panorama circuit.
An initial glimpse of the starting field for Sunday’s WPS 12-Hour Showroom Enduro saw the teaming of Bob Hughes, Rick Bates and Peter Gazzard pilot their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo to the top of the timesheets in practice.
Their quickest effort of 2:33.8206 around the 6.21 kilometre circuit
also cemented them ahead in the Sonax 4-Wheel Drive Performance Class
ahead of Neil Crompton, Chris Alajajian and Grant Denyer’s Subaru WRX.
The trio of Bob Pearson, Anton Metchler and Bruce Stewart recorded the
third quickest time in their Mitsubishi Evo.
The Penrite
Rear-Wheel Drive Class leader and second overall in practice was the
team of Paul Morris, Gary Holt and Craig Baird with a time of 2:35.0708
in the BMW 335i.
The same make of car did the job for Barry
Morcom, Beric Lynton and Chris Pither for second in the class, while
the Ford Typhoon campaigned by Michael Trimble, David Ryan and Andrew
Fawcett was third quickest.
In a major coup for the WPS 12-Hour
Showroom Enduro the official event website, www.bimf.com.au will have
live timing throughout tomorrow’s qualifying and racing on Sunday.
Updated minute by minute, live timing means fans will also have the
opportunity to see the actual race positioning and fastest lap achieved
by each entrant.
For WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival officials a massive two-days awaits at Mt Panorama.
“There’s
no doubt the entertainment program at this year’s WPS Bathurst
International Motor Festival has been bolstered by the addition of the
WPS 12-Hour Enduro and we expect tomorrow’s qualifying and Sunday’s
race to be major drawcards,” said Event Director James O’Brien.
“The
Bathurst Easter experience is the ideal way for fans to interact with
some of Australia’s leading drivers from all motor racing disciplines
in a very relaxed environment.
“Top level racing at Mt Panorama
is always a memorable experience and to be able to bring back the
12-Hour Enduro, coupled with Aussie Racing Cars, Australian GT
Championship, Commodore Cup and Historic Touring Cars on the support
program is a great thing for the sport.”
Race one action in
support categories saw regular V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris battle
hard with reigning champion and series leader Paul Kemal in Aussie
Racing Cars before taking honours ahead of Brad Ward.
Markus
Zukanovic, Christian D’agostin and Ashley Cooper were the best in
Commodore Cup while Darren Pearce collected the spoils in Historic
Touring cars with Grant Wilson and David Stone completing the podium.
The
weekend entertainment won’t be limited to the track with stunt bikes,
freestyle motocross (FMX) drifting demonstrations and of course the
opening round of the Freerider Magazine FMX National Championship.
In
a special treat for racing fans an exclusive, champions of Bathurst
driver autograph session will also be conducted at 12.30pm tomorrow,
featuring inaugural Bathurst endurance event winner and Event Grand
Marshall Bob Jane.
Every person who buys a ticket to the WPS
Bathurst International Motor Festival, will receive complimentary entry
to the National Motor Racing Museum over the Festival.
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