Cochrane: We want October date back!
1/4/2000 23:12 (Jason Whittaker) - The ailing October Bathurst meeting appears to be on its last legs, with long-time operator, the Seven Network, set to withdraw it's support from the event - opening the door for an October Bathurst return for the V8 Supercars.
The V8 Supercar Bathurst FAI 1000, the finale to the Shell Series, could make a return to the traditional first weekend in October as early as next year should Seven pull the plug on their support.
After playing a part in the broadcast and management of the race for 36 years, it was revealed this week that Seven are keen to abandon their four year contract with race organisers as early as this year. Without the Network's support, it would make continuing the Super Touring-led meeting impossible.
Emphasising the strength of the rumour, AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane has come out through the week saying he would lobby the Bathurst City Council to return the V8's to their traditional weekend should the current October meeting be abandoned.
"AVESCO, in accordance with the wishes of our many, many fans, we will try to lobby the Bathurst City Council to get the October long weekend back for the V8 FAI 1000," Cochrane told Auto Action this week.
"We receive many faxes from fans saying they want us to go back to what they believe is our rightful date."
The move back to October could come at a price however, with Cochrane suggesting the Bathurst showpiece could no longer play the role of season final.
"We will be having 14 rounds next year, which would make it impossible to have Bathurst as the final," he said.
"If we concluded the Championship in the first weekend of October we would have to start it in mid January, which the teams would not entertain."
With the November Bathurst date already finalised for this year, a move back to October can't be made until 2001.
Despite the rumours, TOCA and the Bathurst City Council continue to maintain they have the Network's support.
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