View to a thrill, Bathurst 1000 goes upmarket
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday October 10, 2009
CAMPING may be the authentic way to soak up the true flavour of 300km/h race cars at Mount Panorama for this weekend's Bathurst 1000.But spare a thought for the well-heeled shelling out $7200 for a three-bedroom apartment, tickets included, over four nights in the newly opened Citigate Mount Panorama perched at the end of the main straight.As with other hotels in the otherwise quiet country town, prices are up to five times more than those a week either side of the great race. €śWe've sold everything we could sell,€ť the hotel's general manager, David Ross, said. €śAnd we've already sold 40 rooms for next year, with a minimum five-night stay.€ťThose staying in the most expensive rooms could rent 45 camp sites on the top of the mountain, where the faithful reside. While some of the 37,000 locals consider the giant concrete hotel an eyesore, guests have a more pleasant view along with access to a modest pool and gym and exclusive use of the bar that overlooks a section of the track.Despite the shift upmarket, that classic Bathurst accessory, the beanie, is proving hot property by fans trying to shield from the sub-zero temperatures.The 500-strong police presence is smaller than in the past, with police content they have quelled the sort of bad behaviour that led to burnt cars, brawls and even deaths."It is a positive reflection on how the crowd has behaved in previous years,€ť a police spokeswoman said, suggesting the 24-cans-a-day beer limit is playing a role.As for the on-track action, this year's race is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in years with the added variable of E85 fuel (85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol), which will force more pit stops.The five-time Bathurst winner Mark Skaife is one of the favourites this year, but also believes the new fuel could lead to more engine failures. €śWe've had more engine failures this year [during the championship] than we have in 10 years,€ť Skaife said. €śThere's been a huge change to overall reliability.€ťThere's a woman in the race for the first time in almost a decade, but it didn't start well for Leanne Tander, who crashed in yesterday morning's practice session. Her husband, Garth, a former Bathurst winner, is another favourite, but she won't be doing him any favours on the track. €śHe is just like any other driver in the race,€ť she said.
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald