Another grandtand and extra safety measures will make this years race more family friendly.
Unprecedented demand has led to the construction of another grandstand on pit straight for this year’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama, with overall ticket sales up 25 per cent on last year. The event will again capture a crowd in excess of 180,000 people.
The extra grandstand will occupy the famous “Murray’s Corner” that looks up the legendary Conrod Straight, over the final corner and into pit entry – one of the best viewing areas on the entire track.
And for fans attending on a daily admission they can be assured of a comfortable seat that is theirs and theirs alone for just a small extra charge to their general admission ticket.
“The demand for grandstand seats is the highest it has ever been and still growing,” said V8 Supercar Events General Manager Shane Howard.
“We have gone from having just 900 grandstand seats just five years ago to around 4000 this year. The days of people claiming a piece of grass are gradually decreasing and I can see the day when the bottom area of the Mountain is a massive amphitheatre of grandstands around both corners and right along the straight.
“And why not? For a small extra cost you are guaranteed a prime view in your very own seat.”
With more and more families attending the race on a yearly basis it was also a good assurance for parents and children that they can have the most comfortable seats in the house and guaranteed viewing.
This coupled with additional security measures being introduced this year will make the event even more family friendly.
V8 Supercars Australia, the Bathurst Regional Council and New South Wales Police Force have agreed on joint initiatives that will bring the 2007 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 into line with international events.
New licenced areas will be designated on the pit straight viewing area as well as areas of the Reid and Sulman Parks. Further licenced areas will be designated in 2008. No alcohol can be taken into or out of these areas.
Campers are still able to bring alcohol into the camping areas but discretionary limits will be applied by Police and security. That alcohol can then only be consumed in those areas.
Non-camping patrons attending on single days are also not permitted to bring alcohol into the venue. These patrons can purchase alcohol when inside the precinct from the licenced outlets at reasonable cost.
All patrons will be required to possess photo identification on entry and wear wristbands that confirm they are paying patrons. This will assist Police to enforce the laws of underage drinking and limit troublemakers accessing the event without the relevant event ticket.
All entry points will be subject to increased policing and security presence to ensure there are not excessive limits of alcohol and any other form of illegal materials being brought into the precinct.
