Mates at the Mountain: Campers descend ahead of Great Race

The first campers have descended on Mount Panorama ahead of this year’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

The six-day festival of motorsport began on Tuesday November 30, with nine support categories providing on track action through to Sunday's Great Race.

One of the most impressive setups at the base of the mountain, dubbed the King George Tavern II, is complete with its own viewing deck with widescreen television.

Around 20 people from across New South Wales will descend on the elaborate campsite, which was completed on Monday.

Owned by long-term Supercars mega fans, Daniel Wicks, Brad Hoolihan and Ryan Galvin, the King George provides the perfect vantage point from Hell Corner and along Mountain Straight.

Like many fans who make the annual migration to the mountain, the trio has been coming to Bathurst for the past 21 years, building lasting mateship centred on their shared love of the Great Race.

“We have been coming to the Mountain since we were 18,” Hoolihan told Supercars.com.

“We have never missed a year, even last year [during the COVID restrictions], we went over to the Rydges Hotel, so our count would remain.

“We are up to 21 years, so that’s not too bad.

“It’s like a reunion, we all get together, and we all love it.

“It’s a good chance for everyone to catch up, and we have blokes coming from all over.”

Wicks added: “It’s like a family holiday.

“We call these blokes our family. You know you go away for Christmas; well, Bathurst is our Christmas.”

Campsites in Paddock C campground, Reid and Sulman and The Motorhome are available to purchase for this year’s event.

Camping sites are on sale now via Ticketek. Click here to secure your site.

The week-long Repco Bathurst 1000 will also feature the Dunlop Series, Porsche Carrera Cup, Toyota Gazoo Racing 86 Series, Touring Car Racing, Touring Car Masters, S5000, GTWCA, SuperUtes and TransAm.

Supercars will hit the track on Thursday for Practice 1 at 10:00am AEDT. Click here to view the track schedule.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 503) and streamed on Kayo.

The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event. Tickets for the event are on sale now.