MOTORSPORT: Next month's Bathurst 1000 limited to just 4000 fans a day

Just 4000 spectators per day will be admitted to the Bathurst 1000 Supercars classic because of COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the New South Wales government.

The spectators will be restricted to the bottom of Mount Panorama throughout the October 15-18 event, with the top of the mountain closed and no camping permitted.

In a normal year the circuit can fit more than 50,000 people in a single day and can attract a four-day crowd beyond 200,000.

In order to be COVID-19 compliant, reserved seating only will be available at the bottom of the mountain, at Murray’s Corner, Hell Corner, Pit Straight East and Pit Straight West.

All existing ticketholders to this year’s event have been given priority by Supercars and will have access to a 24-hour pre-sale window which begins Tuesday, September 22 from 12:00pm AEST.

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said: “Whilst we are disappointed that we can’t have a full crowd at Bathurst, we’re delighted to offer even limited attendance. A racetrack like Mount Panorama is not as easy as a stadium to prepare in a COVID-19 compliant way due to the lack of dedicated seating.

“We thank the NSW government and Bathurst Regional Council for their ongoing support of the event and for working with us on a plan that will allow fans the opportunity to see a new king of the mountain and championship winner crowned on October 18.

“We understand a number of fans will be disappointed that camping and normal ticketing opportunities are not available this year, however the safety of everyone attending the event is our main concern at all times.”

The sole two-driver race of the 2020 season, the 1000 will also be the final Supercars championship event for the first time since 2000.

This has been forced on Supercars by the pandemic. The calendar has been shuffled on multiple occasions and the Victorian teams have been on the road since July to avoid being locked in their home state by border closures.

This weekend, the championship stages the first of two sprint rounds at The Bend in South Australia. Both comprise three races but will take place on different versions of the circuit.

DJR Team Penske Ford Mustang driver Scott McLaughlin enters this weekend’s action with a 143-point lead over factory Holden Commodore ZB driver Jamie Whincup.

McLaughlin is riding high following confirmation he will make his IndyCar debut in Florida for Team Penske the weekend after Bathurst.

“This is something I haven’t stopped thinking about, but I wanted to ensure my focus was on winning our third-straight Supercars championship for DJR Team Penske and all our partners in Australia,” McLaughlin said.

“We are still laser-focused on that and have three more rounds to get it done, but I’m equally as excited to finally get the chance and make my IndyCar debut.

“I’ve been doing everything I can to keep up with the series this year, from watching as many races as I can on TV to even talking to the drivers and some of the engineers back at the Team Penske shop.

“I never knew if I would be able to get behind the wheel of one of these cars this year due to all the COVID-19 restrictions, but I wanted to be ready if it became an opportunity.”