A WIDE-OPEN EASTER SUNDAY SPRINT

from 2023 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, Official Program

KEY RACE FACTS / RECORDS

THE 2023 HI-TEC OILS BATHURST 6 HOUR IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S TOUGHEST RACES, BUT AS RICHARD CRAILL INVESTIGATES, THIS YEAR’S FIELD PRESENTS A WIDE ARRAY OF POTENTIAL WINNERS IN EACH AND EVERY CLASS.

THIS ONE is wide open. That’s the vibe heading into the seventh running of what has rapidly become Bathurst’s new Easter tradition – a six-hour endurance race for Production Cars

Though the entry list remains large and the diversity remains as broad as ever, this year’s field also offers opportunity – a chance for new names and teams to step up and claim the top step of the podium, be it outright or in their respective classes.

The outright fight at the pointy-end will be between the all-conquering Class X (ultimate performance) cars and in particular, the BMW brigade of M2, M3 and M4 models.

The German brand are yet to be beaten in the six-hour and there’s little reason to expect any different this year, though just which one gets up could be the more relevant question. With last year’s winners not back to defend their crown, and the 2021 race champions also absent this year, you have to look to the proven Beric Lynton / Tim Leahey combination to find the last proven Bathurst winner among 2023 entrants. That they have two-time Great Race winner Will Davison back with them only aids their chances.

Rivals? If luck goes their way for once, the Anthony Soole, Adam Burgess and Anton de Pasquale entry should be quick as will reigning Australian Production Car Champions, the family team of Wayne Russell and sons, Drew and Aaren.

Garth Walden Racing gets a shot at outright victory again thanks to their M3 –to be steered by the team boss, Michael Auld and Tyler Everingham and while it’s likely out-gunned against the BMWs, the HSV GTS entered by Duane West and co-piloted by current TCR Australia Champion Tony D’Alberto will be worth watching.

There’s firepower in Class A1, for forced-induction cars, and if it rains this is the class to watch – the all-wheel-drive turbo Mitsubishi Lancers likely to revel in the wet.

Picking a winner here is difficult, though the experienced RAM / GWR entry of Mike Sheargold, Dylan O’Keeffe and Brett Hobson could ruffle the feathers of the leading BMWs. The Bargwanna boys – Ben and Jude – were second in class last year and troubled the top-10 in their Audi TT RS while the big Ranger Falcon GT-F hustled by Bathurst legend John Bowe and ‘last of the privateers’, Aaron McGill, is always a fan favourite.

Class A2 is where the V8’s live and here’s there’s plenty to choose from and perhaps the most wide-open list of contenders amidst this strong field.

In the march of the Mustangs, the George Miedecke, Marcos Ambrose and Tim Brook car possibly goes in favourite, though similar examples steered by Aaron Seton and Jason Gomersall, and Tony Quinn, Grant Denyer and Ryder Quinn car should also be in the mix – the Local Legends entry coming up trumps in the class last season.

The Levitt Motorsport Mercedes-AMG is always among the most potent cars up and down the hill, while the Lexus RC-F of Scott Gore, Keith Bensley and Steve Owen adds great variety.

And then there’s the big HSV of Chris Lillis, Nathan Callaghan and Matt Holt, who will hope to fly the Holden flag at the front of the field and, in the past, have shown they can do just that.

Class B? The Scott Turner, Jordan Cox and Lachlan Mineeff BMW 135i looks irresistible here – anything with Coxy behind the wheel generally is – though Jay Hanson and James Meaden behind the wheel of a BMW that won the race in 2016 will be worth watching closely.

So too will be the only all-female team in the race; the Team Buccini Racing BMW of Karlie Buccini, Ellexandra Best and newly-minted Carrera Cup racer, Courtney Prince. A pair of SS Commodores battle it out in B2.

The Performance Car class in Class C is the domain of Jake Camilleri and Scott Nicholas, the duo giant-killers in the world of Production Car racing with their venerable, proven and rocketship quick Mazda 3 MPS. They won the class last year, finished 11th outright and smashed records for class lap and distance records and thus enter this year’s race as favourites, with a target on their back.

Chasing them, and knowing that no one has ever won Class C more than once, will be strong rivals in the form of Brock Giblin and Ben McLeod in a HSV Astra, who should be strong. Colin Osborne and Rick Bates are always fast in their Renault while the Orange- based MINI Cooper of James Keene and Thomas Needham should also be a factor, among others in what is – outright favourites aside – a wide open category.

Toyota have never lost Class D, however this year could be the first that the Japanese giant’s remarkable 86 comes unseated. There are just two entered –plus a cousin Subaru BRZ – and to win they’ll need to beat a pair of quick Mazda RX8s, a BMW, a Honda and a VW Golf GTi. This year is as open as Class D has ever been.

And then there’s the compact class, the baby cars, which this year feature a pair of Mazda 3 SP25s going head to head for their own piece of Bathurst bragging rights.

With more than 60 cars entered, a wide-open array of class and outright contenders lining up to challenge for a Bathurst victory? Sounds like the perfect recipe for a stunning Easter Sunday showdown on the Mountain.