UP FRONT DOWN UNDER

The National Motor Racing Museum at Bathurst celebrates Australia’s rich motorsport history

- CHRIS MARTIN

The Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst is holy ground to Australian race fans and has a long history dating back to the late 1930s. Since that time, it has hosted motorcycle races, sports car enduros and various lesser-known competitions, but it is best remembered both locally and internationally as the home of the 'Big Race' every October. The Six Hour Classic in 1962 was followed by the Armstrong 500 a year later, and that event became the Bathurst 1000 following metrification in 1973. It continues today as the highlight of the V8 Supercars calendar.

The National Motor Racing Museum started as a temporary display behind the Bathurst pits. It was opened in 1988 by the late Peter Brock, but for the past 30 years it has been housed in a purpose-built facility adjacent to Murray's Corner, the track's final left-hander.

On arrival at the entrance to the museum, you are greeted by a life-sized statue of the legendary Brock, who won here nine times, standing atop one of his victorious Holden Commodores. As you step inside there is a wellstocked gift shop (best left until departure), and visitors are recommended to spend five minutes in the 'Immersive Room', where the surrounding screens present the sights and sounds of races past to get you in the mood.