What the Bathurst 1000 is really like for Supercars enthusiasts and the general public alike

WOW. No three letters better surmise a trip to experience the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, the Bathurst 1000.

WOW. No three letters better surmise a trip to experience the pinnacle of Australian motorsport, the Bathurst 1000.

For an enthusiast like myself, you get a sense of just how special this place is, in so many ways. For the everyday person, there is plenty to enjoy and savour, too.

Many fans roll into town before even the drivers and fans arrive. The dedication of fans alone says a lot.

They are not discouraged by the cold, wet weather. Familiar faces book their camp spots year to year. On race day, they secure their desired seating spot by the crack of dawn, such is the demand.

Fans flock to see the start of the race. Picture: Tim Hunter

The amount of caravans and tents both nearby pitlane and up the mountain is rather astonishing as the country town’s population swells two-fold.

Among the visitors are some rougher-looking types and some high-profile figures including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and ex-NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley.

For this week or so, all of Bathurst revolves around the Great Race, whether it be content on radio stations, supermarket workers donning their favourite Supercars team’s colours or the Hollywood-style words “Mount Panorama Bathurst” visible from virtually anywhere in town.

At the track, it’s a bustling scene. Merchandise salespeople are run off their feet trying to keep up with customers.

In the area behind pitlane, there is little space to move as fans are given the chance to peer into each team’s garages.

There are people everywhere. Picture: Tim Hunter

Access is an area that Supercars nails. People can observe the inner workings of the drivers and crews and brush shoulders with the stars of the game in the paddock, on their pre-race track walks or on the Sunday morning grid.

It’s an element other sports truly could learn from.

Up the mountain, you get an appreciation for how steep and testing the famed circuit is.

You also enter the heart of the supporters, where the mood is jubilant and costumes or Hawaiian shirts are a common sight. Entertainment is aplenty and while alcohol is too, it is a surprisingly controlled setting.

The vibe kicks up a gear for the top 10 shootout on Saturday afternoon and then some more when Sunday race day arrives.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks with Craig Lowndes (right) and Steven Richards on the Bathurst 1000 grid. Picture: Tim Hunter

On the grid, there is a buzz of excitement but once the race settles down, calm enters the team garages … until the frantic final hour or two when the prestigious Peter Brock Trophy is there to be won or lost.

That urgency is met with growing anticipation from the crowd as they wait to see whose name they will be chanting in the closing laps - as fate would have it, in 2018 it was the people’s champion Craig Lowndes in his last Bathurst start as a full-timer.

It’s a special moment as the chequered flag drops, celebrations begin and fans swarm towards the podium to see Lowndes hold the silverware aloft.

Then, it’s time to pack up, beat the convoy of caravans out of town and circle October 6 on the 2019 calendar.