Will Brown Inaugural TCR Australia champion and S5000 driver
“Bathurst is an iconic race track, so to have the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best touring car drivers and teams is something that I’m really excited about,” said Will Brown.
“The TCR cars will suit the Bathurst circuit, especially across the top of the mountain. It will be a wild ride, and I reckon that that their speed will surprise a a lot of people.
“In TCR Australia, we’ve had the chance to see a few international drivers come and compete, and we’ve seen how fast and how good they are. Most of the locals will have the advantage of knowing the track, but I suspect that our advantage will be gone after the first couple of practice sessions. We’ll all need to be on our best game.
“I was also fortunate to drive the S5000 car at Sandown, and that was really cool. They are going to be unbelievable at Bathurst and I really hope that I can be a part of that as well.”
John Bowe Australian touring car legend
“Bathurst is one of those tracks that get the hairs standing up on your arms, your neck and your back. It is like nothing else,” said John Bowe.
“I’ve been fortunate to have raced a lot of different cars around a lot of different tracks around the world, and I’m proud that the best track is actually in our own backyard.
“I’ll definitely be punting my Touring Car Masters car around, and I can only assume that we’ll be racing against a lot of varied heritage muscle cars from around the world. The paddock is going to be full of some really exotic machines. It’s a mouth watering prospect.
“While I’ll have my own racing focus, I feel that the S5000s are going to produce some unbelievable racing and lap times. Those cars will be very fast and there’s no doubt that their power and handling will see the lap record be broken.
“The S5000s is a true drivers class. Bathurst is a circuit that is not for the faint hearted on the best of days, so the addition of S5000 will make for a true racing spectacle.”
Andy Priaulx Leading WTCR driver
"Bathurst is one of the best race tracks in the world – it’s a kind of mix between Spa and Macau,” said Andy Priaulx.
“It will be fantastic to drive there in a TCR car that will perform really well over the top. I have very fond memories of my previous experiences on the circuit and I am sure that the TCR race will provide a very exciting show. I’m looking forward to hear all about it.”
Matt Braid Director, Australian Racing Group
“The Australian Racing Group is pleased to announce our Bathurst International event at Mount Panorama,” said Matt Braid.
“This event was presented as a true opportunity to bring a new International focus to Bathurst. Up to now there has been limited opportunities for international drivers to compete at Australia’s best race track in cars they are used to racing in their home series’.
“With the variety of categories on offer at the event, and a date that comes after most global series have concluded means the Bathurst International will see international drivers, teams and their cars compete head to head with Australia best drivers across multiple races over the event weekend.”
Cr Bobby Bourke Bathurst Mayor
“We are excited to partner with ARG to bring this exciting new event featuring a range of cars and drivers from all over the world to Mount Panorama,” said Cr Bobby Bourke.
“An event of this calibre will bring an international focus to the racing circuit not seen before.
“Mount Panorama has a reputation as one of the best racing circuits in the world. The international exposure of this event will elevate Mount Panorama’s prestige and showcase the racing circuit and Bathurst to a global audience.”
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