MOUNT PANORAMA BATHURST & THE MOUNTAIN DAY FIVE & SIX
the most dangerous section of track is braking into Forrest's Elbow
Bathurst is a regional city on the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Distance from Sydney is about 200 kilometres (120 mi) via the Blue Mountains. Bathurst is the oldest inland settlement in Australia. Population exceeds 37,000. Mount Panorama is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from the CBD on the outer fringe of Bathurst. Mount Panorama is 877 metres (2,877 ft) AMSL and rises 215 metres (705 ft) above Bathurst CBD.
Traveldriven
BATHURST FIVE DAY FORECAST
MOUNT PANORAMA RACING CIRCUIT
MOUNT PANORAMA
COVERED IN
LOW CLOUD
DRIVING MOUNT PANORAMA RYDGES TO START/FINISH LINE
OVER THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
MANY KANGAROO'S NEAR
CONROD STRAIGHT
WILDLIFE HAZARD
ROADTRIP DAY FIVE/SIX
RETURN HOME DAY SEVEN
Drove from Canberra to Mount Panorama, Bathurst. A detour of a little over three hours drive non stop. Accommodation Rydges adjacent to Conrod Straight. Drove the racetrack under rainy and wet conditions. Public road speed limits apply of 60km on the circuit and 45km through The Chase. Fog or low cloud on top of the mountain throughout much of the day. Driving below posted limits here. Reduced visibility. Locals walk trackside most days. The inner enclosed area has a few homes, wineries and paddocks. Not uncommon for kangaroo's to be seen grazing and hop across the track.
In my opinion, the most dangerous section of track is braking into Forrest's Elbow still within speed limits as the car wants to push towards the outer barrier and understeer. Probably because unable to drive an optimal line through Forrest's Elbow and also on a wet road. On the tight sections of track, awareness of downshifting compression lock can be an issue if gear shifting is not timed correctly. I experienced no lockup issues. The track is a public road open to two way traffic so prevents the driving line from a road safety perspective. At these low speeds the most fun section of track is second to third gear avoiding wheelspin on the wet road climbing into The Cutting. Followed by Skyline and through The Esses third down to second gear. Also mild acceleration second to third gear out of the apex of The Chase. At somewhat low speeds, approaching a safe racing line can be attained through here if it is a clear track. Correct gear selection is important for enjoyment and safety. Proves the track can be enjoyed driving to the posted speed limits. In driving mode, Sports or Track and on a wet road here, even adhering to speed limits tighter corners can induce a small rear wriggle sometimes. Wet/Snow mode more stable. Permanent surveillance camera's are placed around the circuit.
Dusk on first approach to Bathurst and Rydges. Car GPS instructed take a right turn onto Boundary Road, follow to the roundabout and drive onto Pit Straight. The shortest route surrounded by bush. Of course, kangaroo's crossed the road out in front before Pit Straight. These were avoided. Two days later, dawn and sunrise leaving Bathurst to return to Victoria, along the same roads, a large kangaroo hopped between my car and a bus following behind. Only a few hundred metres from Pit Straight. The start of a 1,000 km solo drive to home in Victoria. Apart from this, no other incidents. On the Hume Freeway drove to within 50km of Melbourne I ignored the GPS and detoured via Kilmore, Hanging Rock, then Gisborne to Bacchus Marsh. Over one hour fifteen minutes and 95km to avoid the Melbourne five o'clock Friday peak hour. Arrived Western Freeway, Bacchus Marsh on nightfall. Worked out well. After a driving break, drove to the Wimmera and home.
Twelve hours on the road and a little short of
1,000 km.
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