Anyone fancy the Bathurst 12 hour?

Anyone fancy the Bathurst 12 hour?

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Discussion

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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Does anyone attend or does anyone fancy it?

I was a frequent attendee of the Le Man's 24 hour when I was in the UK. I'm now in Oz and there seems to be a lack of 24 hour races.

I was thinking of camping to see the practice's races and then main race.

Jader1973

4,289 posts

207 months

Sunday 28th December 2014
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It seems to get forgotten about (as does any motorsport here except V8s and F1) although I think it is live on free to air TV in 2015.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Monday 29th December 2014
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So no great spectators race?

Jader1973

4,289 posts

207 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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I honestly don't know.

When we start back next week I'll see if any of the race enthusiasts at work know anything about it.

It is live on Channel 7.

Wayoftheflower

1,397 posts

242 months

Monday 5th January 2015
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Absolutely recommended! I went in 2011 for the three days and had a great time (insane heat and wind excepted) Friends have done every year since and always enjoy it.

Plenty of good spectator spots near the pits, two straights and of course THE Mountain.

You can't access the start of Conrod straight or bits of Mountain straight but I was totally happy with a shady spot viewing from skyline to the eases.

Not sure what the support card is this year but it's usually great to watch simply because of the track.



mojitomax

1,874 posts

199 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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I'd love to go. I always wanted to go to the LeMans but never got the chance.

hopefully popping outside for the Melbourne F1 in March smile

robm3

4,930 posts

234 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
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Reckon I could be up for this.

One question, when I was a kid they used to trash cars on the mountain (particularly foreign ones).

Is it now safe to bring a decent car for camping up the mountain or just bring something trashy?

I'd hope it would have LeMans feel but sadly I still reckon it's Boganville.

Anyone know?

fbc

183 posts

143 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
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You'll be fine - the days of burning cars on top of the mountain are long gone, and that all used to happen at the 1000 anyway. Such behaviour has never been an issue for the 12 hour in any case.

robm3

4,930 posts

234 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
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Damn, got the two mixed up. I'd much prefer the 12 hour but sadly I'll be in Taiwan that weekend frown


Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
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Are you up for it Mojitomax?

Rob, you gave me hope....

ukdennis

167 posts

225 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Yep. I'll be driving from Melbourne, leaving 4pm Friday, overnighting at Holbrook and getting to Bathurst late morning Saturday in time for qualifying. You gotta be there to hear the noise the Merc SLS's and Ferrari 458s make. Even the 911 GT3's sound awesome. Looking forward to seeing Aston Martins and Bentleys there this year😊

Google [bot]

6,698 posts

188 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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chevronb37 posted an awesome thread about Bathurst, albeit V8s & more that's well worth a read:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

ETA: I might be keen actually, expressing an interest here if someone's in an organizational mood.

Edited by Google [bot] on Wednesday 21st January 07:32

ukdennis

167 posts

225 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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I've got spare seats in my A8 if anyone wants a lift from Melbourne.

Coming back Sunday night straight after the race - overnighting prolly at Gundagai. I'm not camping... got a hotel room booked in Bathurst Sat night (Park Hotel)

Colonial

13,553 posts

212 months

Wednesday 21st January 2015
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I'd love to go but in Melbourne that weekend.

Organising an overnight run in April or May so keep your eyes peeled.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Saturday 7th February 2015
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Watching via the TV. Next year guys!

ukdennis

167 posts

225 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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Just got back to Melbourne this morning from the 12 hour. Have to say it was an awesome affair. Was there for the start just before dawn, sitting on the embankment overlooking Hell Corner and the long run up mountain straight. The pole sitting Phoenix Audi (which set a new lap record in qualifying the previous day) was the early pacesetter, seemingly loving the crisp morning air. Led for a big part of the race, but as the day became hot towards the end, it was down on straight line speed - which told at the end in the drag race with the Nissan GTR and the Bentley. Speaking of Bentleys, that hammering V8 noise, similar to the SLS Mercs but probably even better, was one of the highlights. All the cars had aural characteristics that you soon became able to pick out without even seeing them. The wail of the Audi V10, the scream of the Aston V12...the relatively low revving flat note of the Nissan (but geez it was bloody fast.... must have been making enormous mid range torque!)

The only thing that detracted from the day was the record number of full-course yellow flags / safety car interventions, which compressed the field each time and I felt prevented the fastest cars becoming dominant. Made for an exciting finish however! The first incident was a BMW colliding with an errant kangaroo (eerily similar to last year). The organisers are looking at perhaps limiting the number of slower class cars participating in future if they can get more GT3 entries next year.

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

228 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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I had it on TV, running all day.

I went in about 7 or 8 times to watch some of it, & only once was it not a safety car procession, with some of the worst commentators I have ever heard, [particularly the unintelligible when excited UK person, scot I think], making totally inane conversation with someone in the pits.

They also had one lap in the safety car by a commentator, [without helmets so not going quickly], pretending & gabbling on about the stresses being driven around Bathurst around Bathurst.

If as they were continually telling us, these were some of the best drivers in the world, could we have some junior kart drivers next time. These blokes must normally drive dodgems, very slowly.

I'm glad it was good at the circuit, because it was abysmal on TV.

I got the car washed, oil changed, & an acre of lawn mowed, all more exciting than safety car laps with idiot commentators prattling on.

Oh & please, why the hell do commentators have to wear pretend racing overalls on screen. Just one more pretension we could do without.

Gingerbread Man

Original Poster:

9,173 posts

220 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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The safety car was out so much it must have needed a tyre stop by the end.

What happened on the last corner? The Bentley gave way to the Audi and the Aston, but out of the view of the camera.

Jader1973

4,289 posts

207 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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Hasbeen said:
with some of the worst commentators I have ever heard, [particularly the unintelligible when excited UK person, scot I think], making totally inane conversation with someone in the pits.
Excuse me! He is not Scottish. He is from Sunderland in England and is therefore a Mackem.

As for the race, having watched bits of it on TV I'm considering going next year.

That GTR was incredibly quick.

Colonial

13,553 posts

212 months

Monday 9th February 2015
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Ignoring the one person who always has to have a whinge from a couple of people who went it sounds great.

Maybe next year.