Mitch tackles the Bathurst 12 hour

Your first race at 'The Mountain' is always memorable.

Possibly the most challenging race in Australia, the Bathurst 12 hour is the country’s other great race and the first I have ever experienced at The Mountian.

One thing to note is everyone talks about the mental and physical demands placed on the drivers, but it can also be hard work for the spectators.

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Getting up at 3:30am to travel from Orange to the track and see the beginning of the race wasn’t an easy task when I was running on four hours sleep.

What a bloody early start to the day. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

However, after the race starts, staying awake is the easy part, but then you're faced with trying to keep track of which drivers are in what positions, and with no radios on hand, you've got no clue what's happening.

Yet, this isn’t to say the 2018 Bathurst 12 hour can’t be enjoyable, if you don’t feel like watching the race for 12 hours straight you can go admire the off-track show cars.

It's also worth positioning yourself at different spots on the circuit, especially on the top of The Mountain where the GT3 cars fly over Skyline and through The Esses, it's an experience like no other.

This Focus was out on the first lap. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

There were plenty of causalities. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Can't have dirty tyres on the car. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The big bad Bentley. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

This Audi was a part of the horrific crash on top The Mountain. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Doesn't look it, but the Daytona was the fastest car down Conrod. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Try calling this Porsche a Beetle. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Glorious. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The team all clammily watching. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

One of the best ways to get around the garages. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The screaming Porsche's were well represented. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The Bentley's sounded like nothing else on the grid. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Pit stops were cool, clam and collective. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Scott McLaughlin's McLaren hit problems early on. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Audi believes one car isn't enough at the Bathurst 12 hour. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

How much money is racing in this picture? (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

There were all types of cars in the field. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

V8 powered Ford Focus and Mazda 3? Yes please! (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The long run up Mountain Straight. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

What a view. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

The Supercars can't compare to the GT3 cars running down The Mountain. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

I think the Safety car led the most laps. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Nose to tail. (image credit: Mitchell Tulk)

Honestly, I could go on for hours about all the great things I did over the 12 hours but I don't have another 12 hours to go into detail.

If you can keep up with everything that happens during the race you'll love every second of it, even if you lose track of the positions you're still going to have a blast.

Now I just need to experience the Bathurst 1000.

What was your favourite moment from the Bathurst 12 hour. Let us know in the comments.

Mitch tackles the Bathurst 12 hour

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