The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be transformed into a rolling museum with a special exhibition of historic competition cars and bikes at the October 8-11 event.
Opened as a racing circuit in Easter, 1938, the mountain track will see the presence of all manner of machines that have performed at Bathurst over the decades.
Co-inciding with Bathurst’s bicentennial year, the city’s major Gary Rush said the display would pay homage to the decades of racing at one of the world’s most acclaimed motor racing venues.
“It is fitting in Bathurst’s bicentenary year that another aspect of the city’s history, that of the Mount Panorama racing precinct is put on show,” Cr Rush said.
Among the cars on show will be a genuine 1971 Bathurst 500 Falcon GT-HO Phase III, driven by speedway legend Garry Rush in the 1971 Great Race.
As the fastest four-door production car on the road at that time, the GT-HO Phase III is a revered part of Australian motor racing history, and holds a special place in Rush’s heart.
“My memories of that Falcon are as if it just happened yesterday,” said Rush.
“It was a very fast car and here it is 44 years later and it’s still the most famous Ford ever built in Australia. Bringing all of the amazing cars to Bathurst is just incredible.”
Another famous Ford on display will be the Falcon XC famously driven to victory by Allan Moffat and Belgium ace Jacky Ickx in 1977.
Confirmation of the exclusive exhibition as made today by NSW premier Mike Baird and V8 Supercars chief executive James Warburton at the event launch.
A special display hall will house the 30 or more machines in Harris Park.
The McLaren M10-B Formula 5000 driven by Niel Allen, which held the lap record at Bathurst until 2002, will be featured alongside some notable contemporary tourers.