The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 hour race in Australia has to be one of the most iconic races in the world, and a lot of that has to do with the track. The race takes place at the Mount Panorama Race Track and it it literally built into the side of the mountain. I don’t know of another race track on the planet with as much elevation change over the same distance as Bathurst. I’m admittedly more of a rally racing fan than a circuit racing fan, but one of those reasons is the lack of elevation change in most circuits. This track is different, and even has a massive blind crest into a drop at the top of the mountain. It is one of those moments where a driver picks their line and prays that it will hold as they dive over the edge into what must seem like a black hole. This adds a significant amount of excitement to both the drivers and spectators.
This iconic event is a multi-class endurance race meaning there is lots of overtaking. The car classes include both GT3 and GT4 as well as a variety of sub-classes. This race draws an international list of drivers, including some from the USA. Most notably this year has been the young phenom Austin Cindric. Yes, THAT Cindric who’s father is the President of Penske Racing. Austin is only 16 years old and has been working his way into multiple racing series over the last few years including USF2000 and the Mazda Road to Indy and racing a GRC Lites car in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship. There is no doubt the kid has talent, especially when down at Bathurst he helped his team qualify 6th in their Mercedes and would have qualified better if the final qualifying session wasn’t cut short due to a red flag.
The race technically takes place tomorrow, but due to Australia being across the international date line from the USA, tomorrow is today! The race begins at 10:45 AM Pacific Time (1:45 PM Eastern). Even more exciting are the ways available to follow the coverage. Unlike most racing in the USA or Europe, the Bathurst 12 hour will be live streamed via their main web site http://bathurst12hour.com.au/live-int and live radio coverage is available by the great crew at Radio LeMans. So kick back and turn up the volume to enjoy some of the best circuit racing on the planet!
