|
ABOUT THE BATHRST MOTOR FESTIVAL
A three-day Event held across the Easter long weekend (April 6-8, 2012)
the Bathurst Motor Festival continues and expands on the long tradition
of Easter racing on Mount Panorama.
The Bathurst Motor Festival concept was formed in 2006 before morphing
into the current successful Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour race now held in
February. The Bathurst Motor Festival returned to Easter in 2011 to fill
a void in the calendar, with a variety of national championship
categories – including Aussie Racing Cars and Commodore Cup – to club
level motorsport and regularity competition.
The Event will return in 2012 bigger and better with an even more
diverse mix of categories as an ideal Event for fans to enjoy across the
long weekend.
More information about the Event can be found at
www.bathurstmotorfestival.com.au
|
|
mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk
FORMULA 3 TO RACE AT BATHURST MOTOR FESTIVAL
 Formula
3 Cars will race for the first time at Mount Panorama as part of the
2012 Bathurst Motor Festival, Formula 3 Management and Event officials
have announced today.
The return of international specification ‘wings and slicks’ open
wheelers to Mount Panorama for the first time in over thirty years will
ensure the Bathurst Motor Festival will receive international exposure
next year, with overseas drivers already plotting to tackle the
Mountain.
Formula 3 Management has received several enquiries from international
drivers keen to experience the mystique of Bathurst in a Formula 3 car –
though the series already has significant international influence.
The current championship leader (James Winslow) and four of the last
five Australian Formula 3 championship winners are from the United
Kingdom and drivers from six different nations have competed in the last
three seasons.
The Event will form part of the 2012 Formula 3 Australian Drivers
Championship and is set to be a marquee race for the category’s
continuing efforts to grow and develop locally. As part of the Bathurst
Motor Festival, Formula 3 cars will contest three, 10-lap races
totalling nearly 180 competitive kilometres of racing across the April
6-8 Event next year.
Series officials and Event management expect a grid of at least 20 cars
to compete with initial interest already strong.
“We are very pleased to have Formula 3 make their debut at Mount
Panorama as part of the Bathurst Motor Festival,” Event Director James
O’Brien said.
“The Bathurst Motor Festival is about catering to all types of
motorsport, from club level regulation categories to top National
Championships, and Formula 3’s participation in the Event will push that
further with an international flavour.”
Current Formula 3 Team Owners and drivers have embraced the addition of
a Bathurst Event to the schedule.
“I have already received interest from enough drivers to fill all four
of our cars,” Mark Rundle, the team manager of defending F3 champions
Team BRM, said.
“A lot of the interest has come from Asia and Europe. The Bathurst brand
is known worldwide and the opportunity for people to race a Formula 3
car there will be too big for some to pass up. Bathurst is one of the
world’s most famous circuits so to be able to race it – and potentially
win there – in a globally recognised category like F3 is very appealing
to drivers.
"I think I speak for all of the team owners and drivers in saying that
this is a massive step for Formula 3 and we’re all working hard together
to embrace it.”
Current championship leader James Winslow has suggested the long term
future and international appeal of Formula 3 cars at Bathurst could be
significant.
“It is going to be incredible and I’ll do everything I can to make sure
I’m on the grid,” Winslow said.
“There is a real opportunity for this to become a major annual Event for
Australian Formula 3 which will only be good for the category.
“I have raced at home in Europe and in the USA and everyone knows about
Bathurst. It’s one of those great circuits everyone wants to have a go
at one day. To do it in an F3 car, which I think are about the best
racing cars in the world, will be incredible.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge and produce very exciting racing.”
Commercial plans are currently being generated for the Event whilst
Formula 3 Management will announce further plans and eligibility
criteria for entrants in coming weeks.
The 2012 Bathurst Motor Festival will be held on April 6-8 and will
include a mixture of national level categories and state based
competition offering something for everyone.
ABOUT FORMULA 3
Formula 3 is a global formula and recognised as one of the premier
development categories on the development path towards Formula One.
Current Australian F1 drivers Mark Webber and Dan Ricciardo – as well as
approximately 90% of the current F1 grid – all raced Formula 3 at some
stage in their careers.
In Australia, former top local drivers include IndyCar driver Will
Power, current V8 Supercar stars Karl Reindler and Michael Caruso, and
GP3 racer Mitch Evans.
F3 cars weigh 540kg, are powered by 230hp, four-cylinder, two-litre
engines and produce significant downforce and grip thanks to big wings
and slick Kumho control tyres.
The category features the Italian-built Dallara Chassis and French-built
Mygales, and engines from manufacturers like Mercedes Benz, Renault,
Spiess Opel and Mugen Honda.
|
