The new look V8Central, there will be quite a few changes over the next few days/weeks
Beginning to think the timeline is something like thisOctober-Ratel can’t get anything out of Supercars about the 2022 race or even if the new owners want to proceed with it.November-Ratel goes rogue and announces March dates to get something happening.That the dates clash with Sebring tells you it was never seriousDecember-February dates announced but guessing no real contact between Ratel and SupercarsDecember-Omicron causes postponement of IGTC race in South Africa.Lack of contact reflected in the new dates are 18 days before Bathurst starts.Given a lot of the cars move by boat this is obviously a logistical impossibilityDecember-Supercars has a contract with Bathurst Council to run a second meeting.A Nationals calendar appears with a NSW TBA round listed for May which would satisfy their obligationsDecember-12 Hour web site has no details about ticket sales,camp sites,support categories etc.Only 1 entry has made an announcement about contesting the race.Mid December-After all this Perottet declares freedom day and Covid goes beserk.January-Stories begin to emerge about race not happening.No confirmation 6 weeks out.Story floated about 12 Hour in May.For who?The 15 cars that made it to Bathurst in December?Its not happening.Guessing the new Supercar owners are not keen.Can’t find anyone to buy out the race.I’m afraid it is dead.My second favourite event in Australia after Albert Park.At least the Going Global book will cover the entire GT3 history.Very small consolation.
On the point of tickets and camping, previous campsite holders received an e-mail from Bathurst Council three weeks ago regarding campsite sales. They were intending for bookings to start in mid-January
A glimmer of hope?https://www.motorsport.com/endurance/news/supercars-sro-committed-2022-bathurst-12-hour/7181656/
Quote from: skaifeman on January 12, 2022, 01:41:42 PMA glimmer of hope?https://www.motorsport.com/endurance/news/supercars-sro-committed-2022-bathurst-12-hour/7181656/Not sure how much credibility to place in this.This would be the 4th press release put out by Ratel about the 12 Hour compared to 0 by Supercars who actually run the meeting.Also he talks about holding the race possibly in March or April which has been established is impossible for logistical and contractural reasons around circuit hire and competitor availability.As for May checking the European and American GT3 calendars of which Ratel’s series are only a small part you might find every weekend is spoken for.
May features the Nürburgring 24,rounds of Ratel’s Euro GT series,Weathertech series in US,Asian Le Mans,DTM,British GT,Spa WEC..The chance of an international GT race in Australia in May is zero.
Even if it finishes up being a mainly local race with a smallish field much better than no race at all.