Mount Panorama

This is a trip report from February 2020, before the global lockdowns began.

What do you say about Bathurst? It’s breathtaking, terrifying and brutal. Somehow, those three words don’t quite do it justice. It’s a track with a rich history, with incredible stories from the Bathurst 1000 and, in more recent times, the Bathurst 12 Hour.

As one of the most famous circuits in the world, Mount Panorama has been a daunting challenge to drivers from around the globe since it opened 78 years ago. Unlike modern auto racing complexes, it runs a single layout, with the current 6.2 km (3.8 mi) circuit hosting major events like the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in February and the Bathurst 1000 in October. That will be changing in the future, with a second layout being added to the East of the existing circuit.

Nissan has confirmed that 2012 GT Academy European champion Wolfgang Reip will be driving the factory team’s #35 GT-R NISMO GT3 in the upcoming Bathurst 12 Hours, to be held February 6th-8th. He’ll be joined by fellow NISMO athletes Alex Buncombe and Katsumasa Chiyo.

Round 3 of GT Academy’s online qualification round officially kicks off today, bringing us one step closer to the final time trial which will ultimately determine who moves on to the national finals.

Gran Turismo Drive is the newest street in Bathurst City, home of the famous Mount Panorama roadcourse featured in GT6. Named in honor of Polyphony Digital’s work in recreating and promoting the proud landmark of the city for GT6. Officials from the city, including its mayor Gary Rush and racing driver Shane Jacobson were on hand to open the road to the public in ceremony.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCk_5pBthts

Gran Turismo 6 was on display last weekend at the EB Expo in Sydney, Australia, and the demo included the just-announced Mount Panorama circuit.

Australia’s Mount Panorama Racing Circuit, widely known as one of the most challenging circuits in the world and home to the Bathurst 12 Hours and Bathurst 1000 races, has been officially confirmed for Gran Turismo 6.

An interview with U.S. Gran Turismo producer Taku Imasaki recorded after last month’s GT6 reveal was just recently published by GamerHub.tv, and it contained a few interesting tidbits of information.

Following on from the GTPlanet blog post late last week, GTP members have been back to the famous Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst to catch the Polyphony crews at work.

Some new rumours have been hitting the GTPlanet forums, as Polyphony Digital have been reported to be scanning another real-life track – the Mount Panorama Circuit at Bathurst, Australia.