2015 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour: 6-8 February

[scudd]

Originally Posted by 1961

"On the upside we are on the verge of history. 56 cars on the entry list equals the best days - the entry lists of the race in 1992 and 1993 both had 56 cars listed in the official programs."

That didn't take long, 57!!! Great to see Shedds/Flash coming back to Bathurst

too many cars IMHO. that's over 9 cars per kilometre.

it'll get ugly real quick.

[bluesport]

Originally Posted by scudd

too many cars IMHO. that's over 9 cars per kilometre.

it'll get ugly real quick.

But there should be more cars still running at the end.

[Reload]

Originally Posted by scudd

too many cars IMHO. that's over 9 cars per kilometre.

it'll get ugly real quick.

As an owner/driver I'm sure that you'd be concerned mate, where as us spectators are just wrapt that there should be many more cars running throughout the day, unlike this year. I suggest that even qualifying is going to be a little busy.

[Rodger Davies]

Presumably some will drop out or not show up when the date rolls around though, so I'm sure they're not too worried just yet.

Qualifying could be a concern though, I know the shootout removes some of the frantic activity but trying to get a place in it will be more competitive than ever.

[1961]

"Just dreaming, but the last time 60 cars sat on a Bathurst grid (the real races, not supports) was the 1984 1000. Is this about to happen again."

Just to clarify the facts. Steve Stathis' fantastic book Phillip Island To Bathurst shows that the most cars to start a Bathurst 500/1000 is 63.
That happened in 1969, 1978 and 1984.
Interestingly it led to a huge pileup at the top of the mountain in 69, fog delayed the start by 30 minutes in 78 (hardly the fault of the size of the field) and there was a race-stopping grid crash in 84.
The biggest 12 hour field still remains 55 cars in 1992.

[6.213km]

Originally Posted by 1961

"Just dreaming, but the last time 60 cars sat on a Bathurst grid (the real races, not supports) was the 1984 1000. Is this about to happen again."

Just to clarify the facts. Steve Stathis' fantastic book Phillip Island To Bathurst shows that the most cars to start a Bathurst 500/1000 is 63.
That happened in 1969, 1978 and 1984.
Interestingly it led to a huge pileup at the top of the mountain in 69, fog delayed the start by 30 minutes in 78 (hardly the fault of the size of the field) and there was a race-stopping grid crash in 84.
The biggest 12 hour field still remains 55 cars in 1992.

Good points - however consider the following

In 1969 the cars that caused the crash were toward the front of the field, at skyline - in this situation the crash had little to do with slow cars and fast cars - simply Bill Brown et al had a bingle and a lots of other cars continued to run into him !

In 1984 - The Jaguar went nowhere and cars behind clipped him . Had a car stalled on the grid any year its a luck game if you get through or not.... ask Peter Williamson.

[velly4]

Originally Posted by scudd

too many cars IMHO. that's over 9 cars per kilometre.

it'll get ugly real quick.

That's one way I've never thought of it. A car basically every 100m of circuit is bloody busy.

From a car owner/competitors perspective what would your ideal number be?

How would Bathurst compare to Spa for visibility of slower traffic? I guess the big difference is all cars at Spa were of similar speed?

[Deleted]

55-60 cars for 6,21km is nothing in comparison to 75 starters for 3,83km - now that's what you call high density
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1AIwkD872E

[Reload]

Originally Posted by Chiana

55-60 cars for 6,21km is nothing in comparison to 75 starters for 3,83km - now that's what you call high density
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1AIwkD872E

An out of control car at the first corner is always going to cause drama's regardless of numbers.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Reload

An out of control car at the first corner is always going to cause drama's regardless of numbers.

IIRC there were three starts until the first actual green lap, then bunch of other shenanigans and huge wreckage at the finish line. But anyway that vid wasn't supposed to tell you anything about the crashes, just that the field density can be way way thicker than potentially at B12

[Gingers4Justice]

I'm personally a big believer in driver quality being of more importance than vehicle density when it comes to these matters (as Reload's post basically says). How many big shunts at Le Mans over recent years have involved GTE-AM cars? And it's not like Le Mans suffers from high vehicle density on 13km of tarmac.

If the drivers treat the mountain with respect, there's no reason why you can't have 60+ cars. And from the quality of the entry we're expecting, it should be absolutely fine.

[Mixer]

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

If the drivers treat the mountain with respect, there's no reason why you can't have 60+ cars. And from the quality of the entry we're expecting, it should be absolutely fine.

It doesn't matter if 90% of the field are careful experts...

[Reload]

Sydney test officially compulsory after rule tweaks

24 November 2014 - V8 Supercars NewsV8 Supercars has formally moved to make its pre-season Sydney Motorsport Park test compulsory for drivers next year ahead of the event's controversial clash with the Bathurst 12 Hour Read More

[scudd]

Originally Posted by velly4

That's one way I've never thought of it. A car basically every 100m of circuit is bloody busy.

yes

From a car owner/competitors perspective what would your ideal number be?

I don't know, but all being similar speed (as in all GT3s) would improve things.

How would Bathurst compare to Spa for visibility of slower traffic? I guess the big difference is all cars at Spa were of similar speed?

similar speed helped, though there were massive crashes anyway due to drivers who aren't use to driving on coldish tyres after a safety car period, then going balls out straight away. way better visibility at spa than Bathurst with more run off, though the Europeans aren't big on flashing yellows, especially through eau rouge. some crashes at this years 24hr could of been avoided if drivers had the sense to look up the road to see what was going on, rather than pushing at full speed thinking they can gain spots.

[Reload]

Originally Posted by scudd

yes

I don't know, but all being similar speed (as in all GT3s) would improve things.similar speed helped, though there were massive crashes anyway due to drivers who aren't use to driving on coldish tyres after a safety car period, then going balls out straight away. way better visibility at spa than Bathurst with more run off, though the Europeans aren't big on flashing yellows, especially through eau rouge. some crashes at this years 24hr could of been avoided if drivers had the sense to look up the road to see what was going on, rather than pushing at full speed thinking they can gain spots.

Any test days planned for you guys Scud ?

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by scudd

I don't know, but all being similar speed (as in all GT3s) would improve things.

Great insight Scudd.

In the analysis of this years Spa 24 Hour - the Radio Le Mans mob cited the similar speed being a large contributing cause to the carnage. Cars overtaking in braking zones rather than on straights (due to varying speed differentials) was deemed to be an advantage.

I have no knowledge or opinion one way or another - but find the both angles interesting and keen to hear more from personal experiences.

I would not like to see 55 GT3 cars on the mountain. I like class racing and feel it contributes very highly to the successful flavour of the 12 Hour. That said, not going to argue at the expense of safety and providing good clean racing.

[Marcos WTF]

Originally Posted by Reload

Sydney test officially compulsory after rule tweaks

24 November 2014 - V8 Supercars NewsV8 Supercars has formally moved to make its pre-season Sydney Motorsport Park test compulsory for drivers next year ahead of the event's controversial clash with the Bathurst 12 Hour Read More

The goalposts at V8$upercars must use the same mechanism as a cricket sightscreen. They're always moving.

[scudd]

Originally Posted by Reload

Any test days planned for you guys Scud ?

A morning in January

[Samwhk]

Doesn't look like there'll be any of the Camaros entered? That's a shame, would've sounded bloody great hauling up the hill.

[RedZedMikey]

Originally Posted by Samwhk

Doesn't look like there'll be any of the Camaros entered? That's a shame, would've sounded bloody great hauling up the hill.

Absolutely. The Camaro might have been a little off the pace at Highlands, but it was a treat for the ears .

[Reload]

Surface repairs set to resume at Bathurst

• 24 November 2014 National News

Permanent repairs to the sections of the Mount Panorama Circuit that broke up during the recent Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 are set to be resurfaced next week Read More

[Reload]

Had to dig this one up as Tony's post crash verbal is gold Good luck to the Vicious Rumour team come February.

In car with Vicious Rumour...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swhk...e_gdata_player

[Reload]

Nissan concedes defeat in Kelly Bathurst bid

28 November 2014 - V8 Supercars NewsNissan has officially abandoned plans to have its star driver Rick Kelly take part in the Bathurst 12 Hour next February following its latest 'robust discussions' with V8 Supercars Read More

[1961]

Ridiculous situation, which can only work against V8s (or whatever they are going to be called when it is Lexus v Volvo v Nissan with a few private teams in a few years time. Anyway time to move on. The world is coming to Bathurst, a record 57 entries so far, more cars in Class A alone than the 1000 has had for a while, and Bentley are coming. Countdownnnnnnn...

[Victor_RO]

Hey V8SC, have you heard of the Streisand effect? The harder you try to kill something in full public view, the more popular it's going to be. At this rate, the 2015 12 Hours might start seriously rivalling the 1000 in terms of popularity...