2012 Bathurst 12 Hour - 24-26 February

[nafe!]

For some reason this was posted prior to me even getting close to finishing the post but ill try clean it up a little bit.

The point of this post is to compare the strength of the 2010 race (last of the pure production car events) compared to the weekends race.

I missed last years race due to other commitments but made it to the weekends race and while admitting that i love the exotics there are simply far to few entrants to make it a great race at the moment. I left 2 hrs before the conclusion of the race as there really wasnt anything to keep me there.

From what i saw on the weekend without confirming the numbers i actually believe that the spectator numbers were down on 2010 event significantly and someone said that they were possibly down on last years event as well.

Have a look at the enormous entry below, looking at the calibre of drivers and the amount of cars capable of winning.


1 96 Supabarn Supermarkets J.Koundouris/
T.Koundouris/S.Owen Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 11 1 2:26.8553*

2 35 Pro-Duct N.Crompton/G.Seton/
M.King Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 9 6 2:26.9200 0:00.0647

3 33 Pro-Duct B.Pearson/S.Glenney/
J.Bargwanna Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 11 10 2:27.7881 0:00.9328
4 1 TMR Australia R.Salmon/D.White/
I.Tulloch Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 11 1 2:28.1585 0:01.3032
5 29 VIP Petfoods T.Quinn/K.Quinn/M.Twigg Mitsubishi Evo 9 RS A 15 8 2:28.2160 0:01.3607

6 55 West Surfing Products G.Crimp/W.Luff/
S.Kostera Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 14 13 2:28.3633 0:01.5080
7 20 Eastern Creek International Ka G.Holt/P.Morris/J.Bowe BMW 335i B 15 11 2:29.8089 0:02.9536

8 62 GLOBE / Westrac P.Hill/E.Bana/T.Leahey Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 9 5 2:29.8164 0:02.9611

9 38 East Holiday Parks D.Wall/D.Wall/T.Symonds Mitsubishi Evo 9 GSR A 17 10 2:29.8219 0:02.9666

10 71 Action Racing M.Zukanovic/A.Simonsen/
J.Bright Ford Mustang Shelby I 12 1 2:32.3840 0:05.5287

11 11 Rondo Building Services B.Morcom/P.Stubber/
D.Erickson BMW 335i B 18 12 2:33.9487 0:07.0934

12 85 Menray Race Engineering N.Pretty/C.McConville/
A.Jones Holden R8 Clubsport B 11 6 2:34.3594 0:07.5041

13 44 Johnson Window Films J.Hunter/D.Herridge/
B.Mawer Subaru Impreza Sti A 17 2 2:34.9400 0:08.0847

14 10 Boylan Traffic Solutions K.Douglas/J.Moffat/
R.Hislop Ford FPV FG F6 B 11 1 2:35.3589 0:08.5036

15 3 Greg Murphy Racing R.Wilson/M.Fabris/
G.Emery Holden HSV GTS B 18 2 2:35.8733 0:09.0180

16 7 Hankook Competition Australia P.Conroy/A.Robson/
M.Brame Mitsubishi Evo X RS A 8 6 2:35.8992 0:09.0439

17 25 Donut King / Excen Corporate / T.Alford/B.Nesbitt/
I.Heward/S.Cramp Holden HSV VY Series B 4 3 2:36.1074 0:09.2521

18 47 WA Lifting / Hi Tech Motorspor G.Johnson/N.Callaghan/
A.Letcher Holden VE SS Ute H 18 2 2:37.0398 0:10.1845

19 2 WBR - Wilson Brothers Racing L.Castle/K.Wimmer/
D.Wood Subaru WRX Impreza A 13 6 2:37.0687 0:10.2134

20 4 Greg Murphy Racing J.Pollicina/J.O'Dowd/
S.Middleton Mitsubishi Evo 8 RS A 17 15 2:37.2284 0:10.3731

21 36 Grand Prix Mazda J.Camilleri/S.Nicholas Mazda 3 MPS C 11 5 2:37.2347 0:10.3794

22 99 Australian V8 Ute Racing B.Dunn/A.Fisher/
J.Elsegood Ford FG XR8 Ute H 15 8 2:37.5107 0:10.6554

23 67 JMG Maintenance / Century 21 H J.Gray/C.Delfsma/
A.Miedecke Ford FPV FG F6 B 8 7 2:37.8871 0:11.0318

24 28 GWS Personnel P.O'Donnell/C.D'Agostin/
A.Shephard/S.Briffa BMW 130i C 16 8 2:39.5915 0:12.7362

25 50 Racer Industries G.McLeod/P.McLeod/
R.McLeod Holden Astra SR-I Tu D 12 11 2:40.7242 0:13.8689

26 31 Osborne Motorsport T.Keene/H.Morrall Mazda 3 MPS C 9 9 2:41.3864 0:14.5311

27 75 Auto Motion A.McGill/M.McGill/
M.Williamson Ford FPV BF GT B 13 11 2:41.6676 0:14.8123

28 63 Queensland House and Land.com R.Thomson/T.Poulton/
R.Shillington Lotus Exige I 17 6 2:41.6968 0:14.8415

29 27 Shire Conveyancer G.Fontaine/B.Thomlinson/
D.Ryan BMW 130i C 15 4 2:43.0239 0:16.1686

30 94 Aporschapart / Kitome D.Howe/D.O'Keefe/
D.Neville Ford BF XR8 C 10 3 2:45.0262 0:18.1709

31 21 Hankook Competition Australia T.Conroy/G.Burgess/
L.Tander Honda Integra S D 14 13 2:45.7378 0:18.8825

32 60 Grove Fruit Juice / iseek G.Willis/J.Gomersall/
M.Mackeldon Ford BF XR8 Ute H 19 2 2:46.1729 0:19.3176

33 68 Motorsport Services S.O'Donnell/B.Grove/
A.Dippie/A.Harris BMW 130i C 16 5 2:47.2049 0:20.3496

34 66 Jim Hunter's Suspension W.Bossie/G.Featherstone/
M.Tutton Subaru WRX Impreza A 16 2 2:50.8490 0:23.9937

35 14 Hankook Competition Australia C.Schembri/S.Sullivan/
E.Singleton Honda Integra S D 12 9 2:51.0688 0:24.2135

36 76 Thomson Alfa K.Booker/R.Rinaldo/
D.Stone Alfa Romeo 159 F 13 2 2:54.8840 0:28.0287

37 5 Lauren Gray Motorsport L.Gray/M.Gray/T.Head Toyota Corolla Sport D 18 8 2:55.0282 0:28.1729

38 97 Safe-T-Stop R.Gartner/M.Eddy/
R.Zampatti Renault Clio D 9 1 2:56.4846 0:29.6293

39 88 Team Bathurst M.Windsor/P.Newman/
S.Shiels Subaru Impreza 2.5 E 6 5 2:57.4408 0:30.5855

40 16 Bezcorp Security J.Matthews/B.Holden/
C.Bradshaw Toyota Yaris E 11 6 3:09.4433 0:42.5880

EXC 24 Airtag G.Walden/B.Walden/
M.Auld Holden VE SS C
13 Osborne Motorsport C.Osborne/R.Bates Mazda 3 MPS C

This race was awesome, the sheer amount of competition between 15 or so cars up the front was fantastic. Contrary to peoples belief they put on a spectacular and loud show, far better then the display on the weekend.

Im seriously concerned about the future and viability of this race. And im not entirely sure that moving it a week or so away from clipsal will really be the answer. How many aus gt entrants will actually commit if thats the case. And if they do i seriously doubt they can put up the kind of competition that the production cars did.

For all the talk about how amazing gt cars are, how the are better to watch etc, it was interesting to see that the spectators were few and far between on the weekend in conditions that were initially far better then the 2010 race and forcast to be better for the whole day. (obviously it became similar my late morning in reality)

I absolutely loved the gt's on the weekend but there simply arent enough of them turning up to make it viable. Equally its sad to see hardly any of the class acts turning up from the production ranks except for the gws and mcleod entries.

Something needs to change.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by nafe!

I absolutely loved the gt's on the weekend but there simply arent enough of them turning up to make it viable. Equally its sad to see hardly any of the class acts turning up from the production ranks except for the gws and mcleod entries.

Something needs to change.

Could that be because of Tony Quinn and Aust GT's "dummy spit" that saw them fail to support the event, but rather "suck up" to V8Bogancars as a support event at Clipsal?

[KSM86]

Right on track for the future

BY JO JOHNSON

27 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM


THE proof is in the numbers. Despite constant rain, more people attended this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour than in 2011.
Close to 19,700 people descended on Mount Panorama across the three-day meet.

Event director James O’Brien said the turnout was pleasing, with strong ticket sales each day and significant local support for the event.

“We had a little over 7000 [people] today, which was an increase on last year’s figure of 6700,” Mr O’Brien said yesterday. “Even with the wet weather, the interest was there.

“There’s no doubt we would have attracted a larger crowd if it were not for the weather.”

Showers were forecast throughout the day and did not disappoint. Mr O’Brien said the wet weather made for an interesting race.

“It’s been a spectacular day, with lots of accidents and incidents,” he said.

“It’d be great if it rained for just a small portion of the race, but you get what you’re given and teams have to adapt accordingly.”

Last year saw the return of GT vehicles to the Mount. The change has seen teams from Audi, Mercedes Benz, Ferrari and Lamborghini battle it out on the iconic track for top honours.

In the end it was Team Phoenix’s Christopher Mies, Christer Jons and Darryl O’Young who piloted home their Audi ahead of the Erebus Mercedes for the win

Mr O’Brien said the outcome of initial talks with the teams was positive, with all saying they were “definitely” or “intending” to return in 2013.

“No one said this was a one-off race,” he said.

“We’re happy with the direction the 12 Hour is taking. We’ve got a quality field in the main race and twice the number of international entries than last year.”

In attendance at the event yesterday were representatives from the Dubai 24 Hour and Malaysian 12 Hour endurance races.

Mr O’Brien noted that there had been “interest” and “discussion” about developing an Asian-based endurance championship in the future.

Veteran race fan Graham King, who arrived on track at 5.45am yesterday, said he believed more cars on the grid would attract more spectators.

He added that as a Holden fan, “it was good to see Lowndes in an Audi”.

Bathurst man Nick Lew said ticket prices and availability at the Bathurst 12 Hour made the event attractive to families.

[scudd]

Originally Posted by ff s conscience

Thanks pd.

We have always been aware of what people say and think, but mostly silence them with results. But what Park said to me specifically, WHEN he said it (gravel was still raining down), and the way he said it, was WAY out of line.

It reminded me of when he raced the 360 against Noske and Christian Jones, that I ran..... I don't like him, and for good reason

Simon has told you to STFU but you're not listening.

You've got a preexisting condition in relation to park, which now is revealed and puts your argument into context.

You continue to banter on about what he said yet you won't post it cause you're full of it and others on here aren't asking for your made up story.

You're always right and anyone you aren't associated with is always wrong.

You're dumb and getting dumber.

I won't post my video out of respect for simon, who asked me to drop the conversation in regards to the weekend and Ted.

I suggest you do the same but you just go on and on and on.

You said I was 1-0 after last year though that's not how I saw it, does this make me 2-0?

You need to stay away from racetracks and race cars cause you can't handle failure or any association to others who fail to meet your unrealistic expectations.

[KSM86]

Ive been in touch with Gerrie Willems who is manager of Creventic and he has said there was already alot of teams in touch with him for next years event. Also after the dubai 24hour event i contacted JRM nissan to see if they had any plans for this event. They basically said it was too early in the season but the bathurst 12 hour was on there to do list.

If you have a look at twitter most international drivers loved the event, Someone on twitter even asked Peter Kox if he could bring the whole Reiter team down.

For me i believe next year is a make or break year for the event.

[ff s conscience]

Originally Posted by scudd

Simon has told you to STFU but you're not listening.

You've got a preexisting condition in relation to park, which now is revealed and puts your argument into context.

You continue to banter on about what he said yet you won't post it cause you're full of it and others on here aren't asking for your made up story.

You're always right and anyone you aren't associated with is always wrong.

You're dumb and getting dumber.

I won't post my video out of respect for simon, who asked me to drop the conversation in regards to the weekend and Ted.

I suggest you do the same but you just go on and on and on.

You said I was 1-0 after last year though that's not how I saw it, does this make me 2-0?

You need to stay away from racetracks and race cars cause you can't handle failure or any association to others who fail to meet your unrealistic expectations.

I've stopped commenting on anything CCC, but personal stuff is mine to do as I see fit.

Criticism is only as good as the source, and you are incredible.

[Woolley]

Originally Posted by alfacors

A few snaps

And absolutely stunning they are, as usual.

And boys, play nice. You're all entitled to your opinions and to the reasons for them, but please keep the handbags in the back of the garage.

Time to move on, I think.

[AussieTimmeh]

I agree, the photos are amazing.

Although I couldn't go this year, this race is definitely on my list for next year.

[nafe!]

Originally Posted by KSM86

Right on track for the future

BY JO JOHNSON

27 Feb, 2012 04:00 AM


THE proof is in the numbers. Despite constant rain, more people attended this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour than in 2011.
Close to 19,700 people descended on Mount Panorama across the three-day meet.

Event director James O’Brien said the turnout was pleasing, with strong ticket sales each day and significant local support for the event.

“We had a little over 7000 [people] today, which was an increase on last year’s figure of 6700,” Mr O’Brien said yesterday. “Even with the wet weather, the interest was there.

Would be interesting to hear the figure for 2010's race day crowd. I could have sworn there were less people out and about this year on sunday.

Maybe if mr obrien understood what his position as promoter required...eg actual promotion to the public not just to possible entrants there would have been far more people attending.

I think its going to take a long time for this race to get some momentum.

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by alfacors

A few snaps

love this one AC

[alfacors]

As much as I love the Lambos, the shriek of the 458s was just amazing. They sounded like a real race engine compared to the rest. The Mercs sound wonderful when passing by in the pits, but on track they leave me cold. Standing on the hill at the end of Pit Staright, and having the 458 blast its way up Mountain Straight was indescribable, the noise hit you all the way to Griffins.

Glad you enjoyed the pics, some of them are also featrued in Auto Action today.

[pplater]

Great pics as always alfa. I loved that 458 too, what an exotic machine. I'd happily trade ten evos for something so visceral on the track. The Lambos and Audis are pretty easy on the ear too, not too loud (the Ferraris were a little too violent at times) with that lovely V10 melody, particularly downshifting. Yum.

[alfacors]

First lap of Practice 1 I was at the Dipper with another photographer and along came the Maranello 458, and just where we were crouched was when it got back on the power, and we both looked at each other speechless at the furious sound it was making. Loved it. Hopefully we shift a couple of weeks earlier to avoid the Clipsal clash and grab some more Euro teams. All the euro boys I spoke to loved the track and the race.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by alfacors

First lap of Practice 1 I was at the Dipper with another photographer and along came the Maranello 458, and just where we were crouched was when it got back on the power, and we both looked at each other speechless at the furious sound it was making. Loved it.

Oh God yes. I was there for Q1 on Sat morning with Simonsen giving it the berries. That thing just explodes into life like nothing else, popping away on trailing throttle before giving us both battles with the straight-through exhausts. Wow.

Here it is on entry and exit at the dipper (I moved about 5 metres between the shots).

[Snowman.]

Hey all - first post on these forums so i'll try not to come across as too much of a newbie.

The B12H has been on the "to-do" bucket list for a while and after watching on the weekend thought it might now be the time to look at ticking this box off. I'm coming from a Tarmac rally background however and have no real circuit racing experience though so would definitely be looking at starting off somewhere in the shallower end of the pool.

My current car is an R35 GT-R and probably watching TA and the Donut boys on the weekend is what's really sparked the interest for me, but the research I've done this last week has me totally confused as to how an R35 fits under GT4 regs? Is it just a case of really no one gives a sh!t? Because from what I can see there is no way one is running under GT4 in Europe. But the original posted B12H regs have the R35 listed as eligible but said "Refer to SRO" - which say no AWD. And the following reg updates had the R35 removed from the list.

So there are basically no regs anywhere I can find on the net for this class to help out as far has B12H goes - but for me it wouldn't be that hard to get the car prepped for something like this from Tarmac Rally spec if there is going to a future in it?

[Penelope PitStop]

Originally Posted by nafe!

Would be interesting to hear the figure for 2010's race day crowd. I could have sworn there were less people out and about this year on sunday.

Maybe if mr obrien understood what his position as promoter required...eg actual promotion to the public not just to possible entrants there would have been far more people attending.

I think its going to take a long time for this race to get some momentum.

I think that race is what it is. Unless (and until) it gets some genuine commercial impetus it will never grow.

But query whether that's an issue for Mr O'Brien - it would appear that he has a sufficiently attractive arrangement with Bathurst Regional Council that such things may not matter.

Spectator numbers? Well the B12 merchandising proposal says: "A 40+ car field is expected in the main race with another 150+ vehicles competing in 12 support races... The 2011 Event attracted over 18,000 attendees over the three days, with 20,000 expected in 2012." My guess is they refer to attendees instead of spectators for a reason.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by Snowman.

Hey all - first post on these forums so i'll try not to come across as too much of a newbie.

The B12H has been on the "to-do" bucket list for a while and after watching on the weekend thought it might now be the time to look at ticking this box off. I'm coming from a Tarmac rally background however and have no real circuit racing experience though so would definitely be looking at starting off somewhere in the shallower end of the pool.

My current car is an R35 GT-R and probably watching TA and the Donut boys on the weekend is what's really sparked the interest for me, but the research I've done this last week has me totally confused as to how an R35 fits under GT4 regs? Is it just a case of really no one gives a sh!t? Because from what I can see there is no way one is running under GT4 in Europe. But the original posted B12H regs have the R35 listed as eligible but said "Refer to SRO" - which say no AWD. And the following reg updates had the R35 removed from the list.

So there are basically no regs anywhere I can find on the net for this class to help out as far has B12H goes - but for me it wouldn't be that hard to get the car prepped for something like this from Tarmac Rally spec if there is going to a future in it?

R35 may qualify in the invitational class for eligibility.........others on this forum should be able to help you as to who you should speak to.

[cptkablamo]

I had a chat with Ivo too, with a story to come and one that never did get a run - he said they are happy with the tie-up and the date thing was a concern. 24H Series I think are pretty happy at the moment. So we'll see what happens I guess.

Those 458s did sound mental. Absolutely mental.

Great weekend though - could have done without the rain on the Sunday, and without the bent cars. Glad to see no one got too hurt though.

The date issue HAS to be sorted for 2013. and a great many stories to come out of the 2012 event yet too, I would imagine.

And for those interested, there are more photos here

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by nafe!

I left 2 hrs before the conclusion of the race as there really wasnt anything to keep me there.

The Audi vs Merc battle didnt interest you?

Originally Posted by nafe!

From what i saw on the weekend without confirming the numbers i actually believe that the spectator numbers were down on 2010 event significantly and someone said that they were possibly down on last years event as well.

No chance on last years event and that would have been a very good crowd in 2010.

Originally Posted by nafe!

Have a look at the enormous entry below, looking at the calibre of drivers and the amount of cars capable of winning.

A lack of what you mentioned above was not the reason for the events change of direction.

Originally Posted by nafe!

Something needs to change.

I think the timing of the event and amendments to the supp regs would be a good start.

[racer69]

The organisers need to set a date and stick to it, year after year no matter what.

First it was Easter, then it was mid-Feb, now its late Feb, now they want to go back to earlier again.

Stick to the one weekend and start building a tradition around that.

[Sheep Stations]

Tradition?...puhlease.

Build the bloody thing around commercial reality, which O'Brien is trying to do. There are only a handful of local GT guys with the coin and desire to do it, so push for more internationals. The opportunity to have a crack at overseas drivers may just drive the apathy out of the locals. So have the event when you can maximize European and Asian attendance.

And here's another thing...with the race being 70% wet, I wonder if all those proddie sooks with Evo's that cried foul about their game being hijacked realize they could have had a fat time on the weekend...top 5 for sure and bragging rights for punching above their weight. But crying and *****ing was easier.

[D.R.T.]

A fat time indeed

[racer69]

Originally Posted by Sheep Stations

Tradition?...puhlease.

If the organisers want to build a crowd up year in and year out a regular date is certainly an advantage.

I know i would have already booked the time off work and a camping site for next year already if i knew what date it was on

Originally Posted by Sheep Stations

Build the bloody thing around commercial reality, which O'Brien is trying to do. There are only a handful of local GT guys with the coin and desire to do it, so push for more internationals. The opportunity to have a crack at overseas drivers may just drive the apathy out of the locals. So have the event when you can maximize European and Asian attendance.

How can the race be built on what is described above? They tried that this year and it didn't work. It showed potential, but the bottom line was not enough cars were there.

Wasn't the date moved this year to attract teams that had run in Dubai and Abu Dhabi? All that could be mustered was 25 starters

There needs to be a core base of competitors for the event to survive. The race is not aligned with an International GT Championship, so therefore the emphasis needs to be on getting Australians to form the bulk of the entry, with the internationals being the iceing on the cake.

[ff s conscience]

Originally Posted by ff s conscience

.....circus at MM sport.


And Allan radioed them on his roll in lap to say he may need a push, so they ran down for that, then it fired up so he drove past them to arrive at an un manned pit bay while the crew ran back up!!

That mistake caused the lambdas to overheat with the lean running, which flagged an alarm, which can only be reset via diagnostic computer. 2 laps gone and ultimately a DNF due to failed lambda (apparently).

Comedy of errors all round, what a circus. Poor Al.

.

Ok, so apparently, We're not allowed to find it funny/a circus when teams make mistakes.

Personally, I find it funny when teams in all forms of motorsport make mistakes, and if it involves crews running up and down pit lane unnecessarily, It's funny. To me.

If just about all teams from state rounds to Formula one can make mistakes with things like wheels falling off, or cars arriving to empty pit bays, or driving off with fuel hoses attached, or botched pit stops, or whatever it may be. It's entertaining, and often funny. To me.

But if anyone from any of those teams doesn't like being laughed at by me, then call me, or message me. Or ignore me. Simple decision.

But whinge about it to 3rd parties???? Really???

Don't be so precious.

Making mistakes is the best way to learn. So any team that makes them, learns much more quickly.

So, FWIW, I'm sorry if they feel personally slighted by my finding amusement in it, but if it happened to me, I'd laugh too, and when it happens to others, I laugh then too.

[nafe!]

The Audi vs Merc battle didnt interest you?

The initial first couple of hrs was enthralling with the top 5 cars putting on a show but it was always treading on thin ice and just waiting for attrition to take its toll on the race.

The Audi vs Merc interested me but in reality with 2 hrs to go the writing was on the wall. The merc was running half a lap behind and everytime it made inroads the audi responded just enough to keep the gap pretty distant.

Watching something like 18 cars or so at that point spread out over the 6.25km of bathurst, a large amount of them being run my amatuers was something i was over by that stage of the day. Going home early became a much more attractive proposition.

No chance on last years event and that would have been a very good crowd in 2010.

Considering the completely abysmal conditions in 2010 it was an amazing crowd and they claimed a attendance of around 18,000 that weekend as well.

A lack of what you mentioned above was not the reason for the events change of direction.

I am well aware that the change of direction was to try and make it a more exciting event, with manufacturer support and therefore a better profit making event.

My point was that the event was actually going fantastic as it was. 2 years later and only 10 gt3 cars in the field with a spectator attendance barely above 2010 levels its not exactly a roaring success is it? And doesnt that also justify that Production cars attracted the same amount of crowd numbers?

My personal position is that i would have prefered to see the race stay as a production car race. Unless people actually attended they cant understand that the race was brilliant in its previous format, so many entrants, so many possible winners and without gt3 cars to show them up were loud and fast enough to put on a great show.

It has changed though and probably wont go back to its old format unless something dramatic occurs.

Im happy for it to be a gt race, but this promoter knocked back multiple entries including a rare(for this year) australian entry (Mal Rose), had little regard for the timing of the aus gt round at clipsal half a year prior to event occuring as he was purely focused on internationals.

I think the timing of the event and amendments to the supp regs would be a good start.

I completely agree. Timing needs to change significantly, at least a month before or after clipsal. In the end how many runners from the dubai 24rs race did we get? The local gt entrants could have fielded more then enough cars to make up for the loss of a couple of cars from overseas had the oppertunity been there.

Reducing the entry fee to the production car runners, giving them better television coverage and perhaps treating the race in 2 halfs, one for the outright gt win and one for the outright production car win would also see the production guys coming back. (we all know that some things cant be overcome, eg sponsorship hurdles and some ego's but its a start)

Im not sure how the event ended up on speed but that was a bad move in my opinion, perhaps once again focussed purely on trying to get internationals to look at the race. Plenty of people do not have access to this channel, and plenty more do not even watch live streams on the internet so it needs to get local tv backing with the option to still allow networks like speed to broadcast it as well.

And ive said it before but actually promoting the event would help. No one i spoke to outside of motorsport circles even know what the event was, that anything was on at bathurst last weekend etc.

There was no radio or tv adds, i dont believe that i saw any actual promotion online for the 12hr race and magazine coverage is also a maybe?

You want more entries? You have to get more spectators to justify the argument to sponsors. And unless you have the cars the spectators wont come...This year was an improvement on last year but both years were a big dissapointment compared to the fields and racing of 2010.

It has the potential makings of brilliant race but i think its either going to take a very long time to get there, or never get there at all.