Bathurst 24 Hours news update 2003-09-01

TOURING car legend Peter Brock will take one more shot at winning a 10th Bathurst enduro when he joins a two-car Holden Monaro assault on the Bathurst 24-Hour international motor race in November.

However, Brock is likely to face one of the toughest challenges of his 31 years on Mount Panorama from a field of crack overseas and Australian teams announced at the event's official launch in Sydney today.

WORLD STARS AMONG 200 DRIVERS CHASING GLORY OF BATHURST 24-HOUR VICTORY

PETER Brock is aiming to extend his record Bathurst endurance tally from nine wins to 10 at the 2003 Bathurst 24-Hour in November, but he will be in a field of more than 200 drivers all chasing glory at the world-famous Mount Panorama circuit.

Along with his colleagues in the Garry Rogers Motorsport two-car Holden Monaro team, Brock will enounter aces such as Malaysian Formula 1 driver Alex Yoong, 2002 British GT Champion Tommy Erdos, from Brazil, 2002 Bathurst runner-up and British GT contender Martin Short, Nations Cup rivals John Bowe and Paul Stokell, young Danish sensation Allan Simonsen and Australian V8 Supercar stars. (See attachment for full version)

BATHURST WELCOMES 24-HOUR RACE WITH OPEN ARMS

THE city of Bathurst will open its arms to the world when it welcomes a host of top Australian and international teams for the Bathurst 24 Hour endurance event November 22-23 at the world famous Mt Panorama racing circuit.

"Following the success of the inaugural event, the city is preparing to make an even bigger impression on race supporters this year," Bathurst Mayor Councillor Ian Macintosh said. (See attachment for full version)

SEVEN NETWORK EXTENDS LIVE COVERAGE ON NIGHT OF NIGHTS FOR WORLD SPORT FANS

TELEVISION viewers watching the Seven Network around Australia will enjoy more than seven hours' live coverage of the Bathurst 24-Hour race on 22-23 November on one of the biggest nights of the year for sports fans.

Following the success of a four-hour telecast of the inaugural race in 2002, Channel Seven has almost doubled its coverage for 2003 and will merge it with its live telecast of the Rugby World Cup final from Sydney on Saturday night 22 November. (See attachment for full version)

SPECTATORS GET 'FREE KICK' WITH BATHURST 24-HOUR TICKETS INCLUDING RUGBY TELECAST

SPECTATORS will be able to watch international motorsport and international rugby at the same time with a ticket to the Bathurst 24-Hour race in November.

Channel Seven's telecast of the Rugby World Cup final from Sydney's Stadium Australia on Saturday night 22 November will be shown on two giant screens at the top and bottom of Mount Panorama during the race. (See attachment for full version)

WHAT DRIVERS SAY ABOUT THE RACE

PETER BROCK (Monaro 05#) The chance to drive that thumping 7.0 litre Monaro around a track like Mount Panorama is one of life's great opportunities and I knew that I just had to be a part of this year's race. Our driver line-up is a tremendous combination of speed and experience and a great mix of personalities., There are no clashes there and that is what you need when trying to win a race like this -- it's vital everyone works towards the same goal.