With entries for the meeting having officially closed on 22 October, despite the uncertainty surrounding drivers’ abilities to attend the event, organisers are allowing those unable to confirm their place due to border restrictions an opportunity to still enter. 

Already more than 300 entries have been received, but now interested drivers based in Victoria and Queensland can enter without having to pay a late entry fee due to recent government announcements.  

With Queensland and New South Wales recently relaxing border restrictions, it means those from the sunshine state can attend regional New South Wales without the need for a mandatory two-weeks quarantining period, while Victoria and New South Wales’ border will open on 23 November. 

Challenge Bathurst Event Director James O’Brien believed they would continue to stay flexible as a result of the challenging circumstances and was looking forward to the big four-day event. 

“We always knew this year would require a high level of flexibility in order to adapt to the constantly changing border restrictions,” O’Brien said. 

“There remains a large number of people who, prior to the border restrictions easing, were unable to commit to the event. Given the constantly changing scenario, we are encouraging competitors to lodge a late entry with no financial penalty. 

“Challenge Bathurst is the highlight of many people’s year, so we are extending the date for accepting entries thus providing an opportunity for QLD and VIC competitors to lodge a late entry. 

“Our COVID-19 management plans, coupled with the Motorsport Australia ‘Return to Race’ protocols, mean this event will not only be safe for our competitors and the community, but a great experience for everyone participating as well.” 

The event will begin with the two-day Supersprint and will feature 98 competitors across four groups, while the second half will see more than 200 drivers compete in the Regularity competition for two days. 

The 2020 Challenge Bathurst takes place at Mount Panorama in Bathurst on 26-29 November.