Apart from those who still have a chip on their shoulder from a war won and run nearly 20 years ago, think most people consider the Bathurst 500/1000 to be an event that has occurred annually since 1963 with 2 events held in parallel in 97/98. I think even the most ardent ARDC supporter would agree that the 1999 500km event was just a pale imitation.
A win in either is judged equally in the history book. Jim Richards is recognised universally as a 7 times winner including his 98 Volvo win and Larry Perkins as a 6 time winner with his 97 V8 win.
The biggest faux pas out of the whole war was allowing the NRL to flex its muscles and claim the traditional NSW October long weekend slot for its grand final. I'm sure many spectators preferred to stay over and cruise home on the Monday rather than drive back to Sydney on a school night.
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