COUNTDOWN BEGINS TOWARDS 2004 BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000
27/4/2004 23:27 (Press Release) -
The Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 has secured a huge boost even before a V8 Supercar has even graced the hallowed bitumen of Bathurst’s famous Mt Panorama surface. The Australian V8 Supercar host broadcaster Network 10 recently captured a TV Week Logie Award for Most Outstanding Sports Coverage and now the countdown begins in earnest towards this year’s Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 on October 7-10.
In 2003, the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 was watched by more than 57 million viewers throughout Asia and was also beamed across parts of North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, China, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Argentina.
On the strength of driving performances over the past couple of years the realm of possibilities during the 2004 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 is endless.
Two-driver endurance teams representing Australian manufacturers Ford and Holden, will put the foot to the pedal and test their mettle on a circuit regarded as one of the best and most gruelling in the World.
This showcase of motorsporting prowess is aptly titled the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN and this year is bound to once again showcase a titanic struggle as the Holden Lions shoot for six straight victories at Mt Panorama.
They’re sure to face stiff opposition as the Ford Falcons soar to new heights in their quest to conquer the mountain following a lengthy drought from the top of the podium.
Not since present day Holden campaigners Jason Bright and Steven Richards held aloft the coveted trophy, following a masterful display in 1998, has the ‘Blue Brigade’ been able to secure top honours.
The task during the 2004 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 is made even more difficult as the Lions have continued to lift the competitive bar to a level never before seen at Australia’s pinnacle circuit racing event.
‘Totally awesome’ is the best way to describe Greg Murphy and Rick Kelly’s domination during last season’s Bathurst thriller under the Kmart Racing banner.
The pair was coming off a reasonable third placing during the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 just weeks earlier and both were looking to push their VY Commodore to the front of the pack at Bathurst.
Murphy etched his name into the record books during Friday’s qualifying period by securing a 2:07.9503 lap time, only to go one better during Saturday’s Top Ten Shootout and record the event’s fastest ever qualifying and outright lap record of 2:06.8594.
Topping off a brilliant weekend, Murphy and Kelly were able to mastermind a deserved victory on race day. The result providing Murphy’s third and Kelly’s debut Bathurst crown during the most famous and challenging of all V8 Supercar races.
Ford’s Falcon crusaders had to once again settle for the minors as Ford Performance Racings Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton captured their own slice of Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 nostalgia.
Seton was reeling after finally making it to the podium on his twentieth attempt, while Lowndes finished with the bridesmaid tag for the third time in his career.
However, the irony continues as Lowndes looks to emulate the same feat as Steven Richards this year and become just the second V8 Supercar driver to have won at Bathurst for both Ford and Holden manufacturers, after winning the title in 1998 driving a Commodore.
In 1999, the year following Ford’s more recent success at the mountain, Richards switched to Holden and was able to notch back-to-back successes.
It was smiles all round for Steven Ellery and Luke Youlden when they guided the Super Cheap Auto Racing BA Falcon to third position last year and for both their first podium at Bathurst.
An even more resounding statistic for this pairing was a brilliant endurance campaign after capturing second place in the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 and both races would remain the only podium finishes for the team in 2003.
But while the podium finishers during last year’s Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 reads of triumph over one of the toughest touring car circuits, tragedy littered many other fancied campaigners who fell during the arduous 1000 kilometre journey.
Much hype surrounded the campaign of Stone Brothers Racing juggernaut and now reigning V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose.
His teaming with former Holden stalwart, Russell Ingall in the BA Falcon was tipped as one of the favoured pairings, but despite pre-race predictions the team could only secure a sixth placing, the third Ford competitor over the line.
Holden Racing Team boss Mark Skaife was joined by fellow team-mate Todd Kelly in another of the more formidable looking outfits in 2003.
The duo were given a drive through penalty with just eight laps remaining which virtually ruined any chance Skaife had of securing his third consecutive Bathurst crown, the team eventually settling into eighth.
The number two HRT pairing of touring car veterans Jim Richards and Tony Longhurst slotted into fifth while Steve Richards/Larry Perkins (Castrol Perkins Racing) finished a credible fourth placing.
2004 marks the 42nd occasion of the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst’s Mt Panorama, which also doubles as the tenth of thirteen rounds in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series, on October 7-10.
The naming rights sponsorship by Bob Jane T-Marts has ensured the Bob Jane name has been associated with this gala event since it’s inception. Jane secured inaugural honours in 1963 with Harry Firth and then successfully returned to the mountain the following year partnering George Reynolds.
Bob Jane T-Marts is Australia’s number one tyre, wheel and battery retailer.
On the strength of last year’s attendance figure of 158,832 over the four days of the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 feature, organisers are confident yet another healthy crowd will be there to witness the 2004 ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN between Ford and Holden.
2004 BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000 TICKET PRICES
Category Advance Price
Bob Jane Stand - Adult $209.00
Bob Jane Stand/Paddock - Adult $239.00
Grandstand #8, #9 - Adult $175.00
Grandstand/Paddock - Adult $205.00
4 Day GA - Adult $92.00
4 Day GA/Paddock - Adult $122.00
4 Day GA - Concession $77.00
4 Day GA /Paddock - Concession $107.00
Weekend GA - Adult $79.00
Weekend GA/Paddock - Adult $109.00
Weekend GA - Concession $65.00
Weekend GA/Paddock - Conc $95.00
Sunday GA - Adult $58.00
Sunday GA/Paddock - Adult $88.00
Sunday GA - Concession $48.00
Sunday GA/Paddock - Concession $78.00
MT PANORAMA - BATHURST
Directions
Easily accessible from Sydney, Bathurst is approximately 3 hours by car or 4.5 hours by train.
Accommodation and Travel
Bathurst Visitors Centre (1800 68 1000) can arrange bookings including airfare and accommodation. Camping at Mt Panorama can be booked through the camping ground box office on (02) 6205 0665.
Accommodation in Bathurst is limited so patrons should book early!
Parking
A well planned traffic management and parking system in Bathurst means no traffic hassles. There is plenty of parking at the circuit.
Group Booking
Group bookings will be available at a 10% discount for 20 or more persons on nett ticket prices. Phone (02)9320 9055 or Fax(02)9254 2940
Disabled
Patrons requiring wheelchair access should contact the operations department of IMG on(07) 5588 6888 regarding access and parking.
Release Date: 20/04/2004
Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000
|
|
