The long wait is nearly over with motorcycle racing set to return to the Bathurst Showground on the first weekend of March.
Last time the venue hosted racing was in November 2017 – more than four years ago, over 1,500 days back– so riders and fans alike are eagerly awaiting the return of the Bathurst Long Track Masters meeting.
From the first time that the Panorama Motorcycle Club staged racing there in 1995 the annual meeting at the Bathurst Showground has become a ‘must-do’ for many riders and fans.
The best indication that riders are eagerly anticipating the meeting comes from the Race Secretary for the meeting, Lyndel Butler.
Riders are invariably slack in getting their entries in for many meetings during the year, but that was not the case when it came to Bathurst.
Butler was inundated as riders rushed to get their entries in as soon as they opened as the big programme of different classes meant that there would be a cap on entries in some of those classes.
The entry list does not have just quantity, as the best dirt track and long track riders in the country are prominent in the line-ups with some to travel from as far away as Melbourne in the south, Mildura in the west and Townsville in the north.
Queenslander Jarred Brook has been the most successful rider in the sport in recent years, and he will be out to build on his dominant showings in previous appearances at Bathurst.
The programme for the meeting is still being finalised but organisers are looking at around 110 races across the 14 classes of races with the final of those classes spread between the afternoon and evening session.
With such a big programme the Panorama Club will break new ground with practice sessions for all classes to be held on the Friday (March 4) starting at 3pm and going through to around 8pm.
This will leave the competition to get under way earlier on the Saturday (March 5) programme.
To help fans secure their tickets the club is making them available via the website https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/panorama-motorcycle-club-long-track-40142513283
Tickets for Friday cost Adult $20, Concession $15. Child under 15, $10 and a Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. $60.
For Saturday those tickets will cost $30, Concession $20, Child under 15 $15 and Family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children. $75