Big Easter Weekend Ahead In Bathurst

The opening day of racing at the WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival has whet the appetite of motoring fans towards a huge weekend of activity at
the famed Mt Panorama circuit.

An initial glimpse of the starting field for Sunday's WPS 12-Hour Showroom Enduro saw the teaming of Bob Hughes, Rick Bates and Peter Gazzard pilot their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo to the top of the timesheets in practice.

Their quickest effort of 2:33.8206 around the 6.21 kilometre circuit also cemented them ahead in the Sonax 4-Wheel Drive Performance Class ahead of Neil Crompton, Chris Alajajian and Grant Denyer's Subaru WRX. The trio of Bob Pearson, Anton Metchler and Bruce Stewart recorded the third quickest
time in their Mitsubishi Evo.

The Penrite Rear-Wheel Drive Class leader and second overall in practice was the team of Paul Morris, Gary Holt and Craig Baird with a time of 2:35.0708
in the BMW 335i.

The same make of car did the job for Barry Morcom, Beric Lynton and Chris Pither for second in the class, while the Ford Typhoon campaigned by Michael
Trimble, David Ryan and Andrew Fawcett was third quickest.

In a major coup for the WPS 12-Hour Showroom Enduro the official event website, www.bimf.com.au will have live timing throughout tomorrow's qualifying and racing on Sunday. Updated minute by minute, live timing means fans will also have the opportunity to see the actual race positioning and
fastest lap achieved by each entrant.

For WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival officials a massive two-days
awaits at Mt Panorama.

"There's no doubt the entertainment program at this year's WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival has been bolstered by the addition of the WPS 12-Hour Enduro and we expect tomorrow's qualifying and Sunday's race to be
major drawcards," said Event Director James O'Brien.

"The Bathurst Easter experience is the ideal way for fans to interact with some of Australia's leading drivers from all motor racing disciplines in a
very relaxed environment.

"Top level racing at Mt Panorama is always a memorable experience and to be able to bring back the 12-Hour Enduro, coupled with Aussie Racing Cars, Australian GT Championship, Commodore Cup and Historic Touring Cars on the
support program is a great thing for the sport."

Race one action in support categories saw regular V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris battle hard with reigning champion and series leader Paul Kemal in Aussie Racing Cars before taking honours ahead of Brad Ward.

Markus Zukanovic, Christian D'agostin and Ashley Cooper were the best in Commodore Cup while Darren Pearce collected the spoils in Historic Touring cars with Grant Wilson and David Stone completing the podium.

The weekend entertainment won't be limited to the track with stunt bikes, freestyle motocross (FMX) drifting demonstrations and of course the opening
round of the Freerider Magazine FMX National Championship.

In a special treat for racing fans an exclusive, champions of Bathurst driver autograph session will also be conducted at 12.30pm tomorrow, featuring inaugural Bathurst endurance event winner and Event Grand Marshall
Bob Jane.

Every person who buys a ticket to the WPS Bathurst International Motor Festival, will receive complimentary entry to the National Motor Racing
Museum over the Festival.

Final Entry List WPS 12 Hour Showroom Enduro

Class 1 - Penrite Rear Wheel Drive Performance Cars Car - Sponsor - Drivers # 2 Ford TE 50 - Kitome Pty Ltd - Dean Neville/Brad Lowe/Ben Nielson/Darrell Dixon #12 Ford Typhoon - Robinson Racing Developments - Michael Trimble/David Ryan/Andrew Fawcett/Michael Craig #17 BMW 335i - Rondo - Barry Morcom/Beric Lynton/Chris Pither #20 BMW 335i - Eastern Creek Karts">Eastern Creek Karts - Gary Holt/Paul Morris/Craig Baird

Class 2 - Sonax All Wheel Drive Performance Cars Car - Sponsor - Drivers #7 Subaru WRX-Sti - Subaru Australia - Grant Denyer/Neil Crompton/Chris Alajajian #15 Mitsubishi EVO8 - Scott's Transport - Bob Hughes Special Vehicle - Bob Hughes/Rick Bates/Peter Gazzard #25 Subaru WRX-Sti - WBR-Wilson Brothers Racing- Tim Sipp/Christian D'Gostin/Scott Nicholas #33 Mitsubishi EVO8 - Pro-Duct Motorsport Pty Ltd - Bob Pearson/Anton Metchler/Bruce Stewart #38 Mitsubishi EVO8 - Pro-Duct Motorsport Pty Ltd - Bob Pearson/Mark King/Mark Brame/Jason Walsh #91 Subaru WRX Sti - Gary Dean Constructions/ Truffle Group Catering - Gary Deane/Rob Rubis #98 Subaru WRX Sti - Subaru Australia - Chris Atkinson/Dean Herridge/Cody
Crocker

Class 3 - APCC Hot Hatches Car - Sponsor - Drivers #3 BMW 130i - S.A.E College - Luke Searle/Peter Kelly #4 Holden Astra Turbo - Nathan Pretty/Jason Richards/Shane Price/Jack Perkins #9 BMW 130i - Australian Motor Finance - Andrew Moffat/David Russell/Shaun Juniper #10 BMW 130i - Bended Elbow - Dean Grant/Mark Cini/Mark Eddy #27 Mazda 3 MPS - Thrifty Car Rental - Allan Shephard/Steve Briffa/Martin
Bailey

Class 4 - APCC Production Sports and Touring Sedans Car - Sponsor - Drivers #21 Ford XR8 - Century 21 Hazelbrook - Chris Delfsma/Jack Elsegood/John Bowe #24 Holden SS - Wilsons Solicitors and Accountants Penrith/ Syd-Fab - Brian Walden/Garth Walden/Michael Auld #66 Ford Falcon BF XR6 Turbo - Lakeside Motorsport Park - Denis Cribbin/Roland Hill/Paul Jenkins Callaghan #94 Ford XR6 Turbo - Aporscheapart - Richard Howe/Denis O'Keefe/Paul Faulkner/Don Tryhorn #99 Ford Falcon BF XR6 Turbo - Team Queensland Racing - Alan Letcher/David
Turner/Nathan Callaghan

Class 5- APCC Production Hatch and Sedans Car - Sponsor - Drivers #13 Toyota Celica - Osborne Motorsport - Colin Osborne/Neal Bates/John Roecken #14 Honda Integra R - Hankook Tyres/DBA - Peter Conroy/Terry Conroy/Bob Hadley #31 Toyota Celica - Osborne Motorsport - Carl Schembri/Leigh Mertens/David Mertens #40 BMW 323i - Dayco/Wefil Cooper/Nippon/Max/On Track Motorsport - Shane Smollen/Phil Alexander/Paul Stubber/Gary Mennell #50 Mini Cooper S - Mid-West Multimedia - Trevor Keene/Andrew Bretherton/Tim Slade #72 Toyota Celica - Thrifty Car Rental - Helen Stig/ Amber Anderson/Danielle Argiro/Len Cave #77 Honda Integra R - V8Racing.com - Richard Mork/Richard Prince/Peter
Vicary/Martin Rambow

Class 6 - APCC Production Micro Sports and Coupes Car - Sponsor - Drivers #11 BMW 120 - Sherrin Motorsport - Iain Sherrin/Grant Sherrin/Stuart Jones/Jim Wallace #88 Subaru Impreza RS - Jim Hunter's Suspension - Jim Hunter/Warren
Bossie/Jayson Williamson/Mathew Windsor

Class 7 - Eco Diesel Over 3.5 Litre Car - Sponsor - Drivers #76 Alfa Romeo - Thomson Alfa Romeo- David Stone/Keene Booker/Rocco Rinaldo

Class 8 - Eco Diesel 3.5 Litres and Under Car - Sponsor - Drivers #6 Holden Astra CDTi Turbo - Bendon - Samantha Reid/Christina Orr/Leanne
Tander/Lauren Gray

For further information please contact
Lee Hanatschek - BAM Media
Mobile 0403 531 914

John Kaarsberg - BAM Media
Mobile 0411 511 029

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