SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN

The Autofest crew head to Bathurst for one of their biggest events on their yearly calendar, and they’re followed to the mountain by several hundred high-powered street cars!

Bathurst Autofest, Mt Panorama - March 10-12, 2023.

Words – Paul Beck / Pics - Paul Beck & Ashley @ S8TEN Photography

The people of Bathurst have to prepare for three major events each year. The 12-hour Race in early Feb, and the Bathurst 1000 in October where the roundyroundy guys do their thing in front of an appreciative crowd. But come March, the Mountain welcomes the Bathurst Autofest where there’s more horsepower, more driving events and much more smoke than the other two events put together!

The Bathurst circuit is by far the most iconic race track in Australia, so it makes perfect sense to hold an event like the Autofest at the base of the most famous Mountain in Australia – as far as motoring fans are concerned. From the very first event staged there, those with a passion for modified car events have flocked to Bathurst and have continued to do so ever since. The great thing about Autofest events is that they are put together with the entrant in mind. The event program features plenty of time for entrants to spend behind the wheel with events including Super Sprints and the Heads-Up Go to Whoa on Pit Straight, Autokhana, Grab-AFlag and the ever-popular Burnout competition in the pit area where you’ll also find the show and shine both days. Les and his team made a huge effort this year to make the event more family orientated too, with a range of kids rides, face-painting, slot-car racing and a big variety of food trucks – all guaranteed to keep every family member happy.

As you’d expect, the event attracts all kinds of high-powered creations – especially in the burnout comp where the bigger the engine in the smallest car possible seems to be a theme. This year’s event had plenty of those types of cars along with the usual burnout competitors all doing their best over two days to take home the top spot in their category and take home the bragging rights for another year. Check out the Autofest website (www.autofest.com.au) for a full list of results.

After covering Mt Panorama in thick clouds of tyre smoke for a day and a half, those cars with rego got to take part in a couple of laps of the famous mountain, before heading back into the pit area for the running of the finals in all of the driving events to round out yet another successful Bathurst Autofest. Up next for the Autofest team is a trip up north to Innisfail for the running of the Innisfail Autofest over the weekend of August 18-20. More info and entries can be found at www.autofest.com.au

For more pics, go to the Killer Rides Facebook Page!