MOUNT PANORAMA RACETRACK NIGHT DRIVE MUSTANG GT

NIGHT RACETRACK DRIVE

Bathurst is two hundred km northwest of Sydney. Location of the famous Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit. Bathurst city hosts the Bathurst 1000 each October. The track is 6.213 km (3.861 mi) in length. Also hosts the Bathurst 12 Hour each February. The Bathurst Motor Festival every Easter. Convenient accommodation may be available in Rydges Motel, Mount Panorama beside the track. There are numerous residences and businesses adjoining the track. These may have no road access on race days.

MUSTANG GT NIGHT TRACK DRIVING

I did a few laps of the circuit after dark. First lap was clockwise. The opposite direction to normal race events. Very different. Not bothered with speeding over the posted limit of sixty km or following racing lines. Drive up Conrod Straight and turn right at Forrest's Elbow. A sharp turn and a very steep bend and twisty road to Skyline. Very dark. No track side lights. Very dark and enclosed feeling even with high beam headlights. Before descending through the cutting the city lights of Bathurst are seen twinkling in the far distance like star light. Not above but below because of the high road elevation. All the roadside verge very dark. Perhaps the roadside barriers preventing a wide spread of light from the headlights? Once on Pit Straight did a U turn and drove a few laps the normal direction.

Driving Counter Clockwise

Very dark and unsettling experience. Driving onto Conrod Straight coming face on into Forrest's Elbow, dead in front was a large flash of white and red wall barrier then the long straight. All the while knowing Kangaroos can hop across any time. As it is rural Australian countryside. I much preferred the racing direction of driving counter clockwise. This was much more flowing with less of a steep climb up the mountain after Conrod Straight as in a clockwise lap.

In the daylight hours I drove many laps of the circuit in the mustang GT 6 speed manual V8. I was twice asked if I could drive other enthusiasts around the track. Sure, why not. Great experience.

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BATHURST

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DRIVING INTO MOUNT PANORAMA

DRIVING ALONG PIT STRAIGHT

MOUNT PANORAMA

MOUNT PANORAMA TRACK

NIGHT DRIVE

MOUNT PANORAMA TRACK NIGHT CLOCKWISE

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