Laps of Bathurst in Cobra

Chris L · #1 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 03:38 PM

G'day all;

Just watched a few laps of Ash Bright go around Bathurst in 2010 of youtube. Looks like a 'bucketlist' job for me if I can convince the leader of the opposition.
Question is, what is required to be involved in something like that and how often does it happen ?. I have the car so thats a start.........

Any info from those who have done it or been involved would be great.

Cheers
Chris L

boxhead · #2 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 04:27 PM

Pretty sure it is this weekend when it all happens.
Bathurst Motor Festival

I dont think I could do the track justice, the walls scare me....

Tenrocca · #3 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 05:12 PM

I grew up in Bathurst. Drive there - have a spotter at the bottom of the mountain and go for it. Its a public road

dadndave · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2012, 06:03 PM

First of all get an appropriate CAMS licence - Level 2S at least. Most of us that have been fortunate to race there have usually competed in regularity events as did Ashley in 2010 during a Festival of Sporting Cars (which unfortunately has lost it's licence to use Mt Panorama). Best thing is to contact Bathurst Light Car Club who run some events there, mainly hillclimbs and enquire.
A few observations from my time on the Mount
Most important make sure your car is ready for a battering.
Going up the hill and through the cutting best part
Across the hill- get it right or wear concrete
Skyline to Forest Elbow- go with the flow and have a good suspension set up
Conrod to Finish - scary at high speed - cobras are very un-aerodynamic and tend to wander- and have good brakes with race pads fitted especially entering the Chase
If you want to see a very fast lap look up Ian Pretty at Bathurst in his cobra- picture not the best but clear enough to see it all..

Towmaster · #5 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxhead

Pretty sure it is this weekend when it all happens.
Bathurst Motor Festival

I dont think I could do the track justice, the walls scare me....

Hey guys yeah that was a great event! Absolutely awesome to be able to drive the whole track! Fortunately we will be returning at Easter 2013 to run in the regularity again, can't wait! There was 50 spots & they had approx 170 entered. John White, Wayne Proctor & Myself will be running. Look for the footage to come out of that . You have to get in early with this event, we booked & paid upfront by August for an Easter event! There is a similar track in Germany that is very similar but about 5 times as long and open to the public most days for a small 'toll'.... Nurburgring ... Another one to put on your bucket list. I'll put some footage up of some laps of that too.

Chris L · #6 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 06:58 PM

Thanks fellas for the replies.
I will be looking for that footage after the event, so keep us in the loop. I hope you guys have a safe and trouble free run at Bathurst and also the weather gods behave for you. Out of curiosity 'Towmaster', what sort of speeds up and down the hill were you doing ?. Aerodynamics are not a strength in these things, was the car 'nervous' or did you have a number you run to that was ample ?

Cheers
Chris L

Towmaster · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-2012, 11:54 PM

Car was very nervous up & down the mountain. I think I saw about 230..... Cobras get scary over 200 ish, more so when you hit a hump like at Bathurst. I only had the little 302 then so top speed wasn't a biggie... Might be a bit different this time with 400 'ish' at the tyres.....