It’s one of the most contentious date clashes in the history of Australian motorsport. And this weekend the Bathurst 12 Hour and V8 Supercars pre-season test day at Sydney Motorsport Park go head-to-head.
The unfortunate date clash means Australian motorsport fans must choose between the two events, while V8 Supercars drivers will be forced to miss the 12 Hour as they are contractually obliged to participate in the test day.
V8 Supercars claims the timing of the test day worked for new television broadcaster Fox Sports, on the free weekend between the Asian Cup and Cricket World Cup.
But the decision to expand the test over two days and stop drivers from testing on Saturday and racing at Bathurst on Sunday caused a backlash across the paddock and among fans.
The Bathurst 12 Hour’s growing appeal could be seen as a threat to the status of V8 Supercars’ Bathurst 1000, while Channel Seven’s decision to pick up the rights to the 12 Hour having let go of V8 Supercars simply adds to the divide.
So, how will the clash impact the respective events?
It’s important to remember that V8 Supercars’ test day is just that… a test day. It’s only in recent years that V8 Supercars has turned pre-season testing into an event. And its growing popularity in addition to a television partner willing to broadcast proceedings has also led to a two-day schedule.
The test day is likely to still attract the diehard V8 Supercars fans, as there’s the big household names in attendance, free entry, a track walk and access that’s normally restricted at race events.
It’s also likely to attract the spur-of-the-moment Sydneysiders looking for something to do on a weekend, given it’s easier to get to than Mount Panorama.
But the Bathurst 12 Hour is a once-a-year event with a strong grid of GT3 sportscars from manufacturers such as Audi, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, McLaren, Lamborghini, Nissan and more.
While there’s a great variety of machinery tackling Australia’s greatest race track, the absence of the household V8 Supercars names is without a doubt a blow for the growing event.
Drivers such as Craig Lowndes, Shane van Gisbergen, Will Davison and Rick Kelly have been stars of recent Bathurst 12 Hours, helping the event’s popularity with their presence before their V8 Supercars campaigns.
Without them, non-motorsport fans will struggle to recognise most of the field at the Bathurst 12 Hour, filled by international sportscar aces, local journeymen and pay drivers.
Ironically, the controversy surrounding the date clash did more to put the Bathurst 12 Hour on the map than the event itself could have, though the lack of big-name local drivers could hurt in the final reckoning.
It will be fascinating to compare the relative television ratings and crowd numbers for the two events, though it’s important to again stress that one is a test day and the other a once-a-year race event.
Hopefully a date clash can be avoided next year and the political reasons for the scheduling overcome, for both events and Australian motorsport as a whole are weakened as a result.
nordster
Guest
Yes and y'all have no sense of humours....i know who he is by osmosis ...reading this site. Hint for future reference... ;) = dont tske me so serially
Lano
Roar Guru
Thanks Sandra. Nordster, you have adequately demonstrated your own words: you certainly have no interest in V8s!!
Sandra
Guest
"Van Gisbergen" is a talented kiwi (new Zealander) v8 driver.
nordster
Guest
Haha nope the last bathurst i watched was jimmy, mark and godzilla crushing allcomers :) What on earth may i ask is a "van gisbergen" ;)
Lano
Roar Guru
What I mean is I'd like to see some of the V8 drivers in the 12 hour race, but the scheduling makes this impossible. No problem for me, or a TV spectator. But do you recall van gisbergen's drive n the Bathurst 1000, and wouldn't you like to see that sort of thing again?
nordster
Guest
how so? The V8s are a year long calendar so can cater to people who enjoy that style of racing. This is one event a year for those of us that want something different. If the 12hr were not on id have no interest in watching V8s anyway as its not my cup of tea. That being said plenty of folks will enjoy watching both. One doesnr exclude the other....
Lano
Roar Guru
We are too small to sustain this sort of division.
GD66
Guest
It is a poor and ill-spirited effort by V8SC management, but at its core it is no more than posturing by ch 10 who have forked out massive coin for the tv rights and who don't want "their" V8 drivers appearing on another channel, pure and simple. V8SC management have jumped aboard immediately however, but many race fans see it as an affront and the ultimatum delivered cannot be mistaken. I will be interested to see how many turn up to Eastern Creek, as Sydneysiders seem to find it difficult to get off the couch and get along to live sport, demanding it be shown on tv for their viewing in the comfort of home. The questionable attraction of a test and tune weekend will be tested here. Swinging motorsport tv fans will be inclined towards supporting the perceived underdog at least for a look, and although the names won't be as familiar, the cars on show at Bathurst and the quality of the Le Mans-derived broadcast will impress plenty of them. Nobody likes a bully, and although they will get their way, I believe V8SC have shot themselves in the foot here in the public's eyes.
nordster
Guest
I guess the 12hr can take it as a compliment. A fantastic event. Next stop....get it on to the world endurance championship calendar....pair it up with a china round as flyaway races, which may also settle the date "clash";)
Doug Deep
Roar Pro
This is such a pathetic and infantile move from V8SC management. It just shows how threatened they are by the 12 Hour race, which, history and context aside, is a far more interesting spectacle than the traditional Bathurst 1000 event. I will be boycotting V8SC this year on the back of its petty and short-sighted behaviour.