“YOU’RE probably talking about the rumours.”
Barry Rogers has heard them, as have many others.
There’s a new player in the Australian motorsport landscape sniffing around to take over Mount Panorama’s fifth annual event, and Rogers – the major shareholder in the Australian Racing Group which part-owns the Bathurst International – is having none of it.
Rogers acknowledges it was a tough start to life for the Bathurst International.
The inaugural edition in 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19. It ceded its 2021 date to Supercars amid further COVID curveballs, with its categories slotting in on the Bathurst 1000 undercard.
The event finally got off the ground last year, albeit in a limited capacity with the pandemic’s aftermath still making some internationals hesitant to commit to an across-the-world trip.
But year two is set to be bigger and better, with a heightened overseas component for the upcoming November 10-12 showcase.
“This year we have got 10 internationals coming out for TCR and we have got a couple of Americans coming out for Trans Am and quite a good contingent of TCM cars coming across from New Zealand,” Rogers told V8 Sleuth.
“Really for us, this is the first real crack at it. It will be a really great event for the fans and I think the region will be happy with what we deliver, so I’m looking forward to it.”
When asked about how far into the future the event’s existing contract runs, Rogers was quick to address rumours of a rival conglomerate’s moves behind the scenes.
“We deal in facts, not rumours,” he said.
“We are very, very committed to the event and to really make it grow.
“There has obviously been some challenges to date but with Motorsport Australia alongside us, we are really keen to build that event.
“Everyone measures everything against the Bathurst 1000. The Bathurst 1000 is one of the very best motorsport events in the whole world, let alone Australia, and it has got the 60 years of history.
“It takes time to build that. You’re not going to do that in five minutes.
“Between ourselves and Motorsport Australia in the coming years, we can really build this event and really turn it into a must-attend event.
“That’s what we want to get it to and we believe we’re on the right path to do so.”
So, back to the question: what is the status of the Bathurst International’s current contract?
“It’s got options and things too. The original deal has got two events to go. But there’s no reason why that won’t be extended if we’re doing the right job and I think they’ll be very, very pleased with what they see this year,” said Rogers.
There will be six categories on the 2023 Bathurst International bill, being TCR Australia, Trans Am, Touring Car Masters, Porsche Sprint Challenge, the Kumho Tyre V8 Touring Car Series and Australian Production Cars/Production Invited.
There will also be a number of open-wheel demonstration sessions across the three days at Mount Panorama.
