A refreshing left-field revival of the iconic Bathurst 1000’s pre-race build-up will be a showcase of the Australian Muscle Car Masters at Sydney Motorsport Park on September 1.

Tagged as the Bathurst Grid Spectacular, it will be a highlight of Australia’s legendary muscle car and motorsport heritage with a large gathering of former contenders in The Great Race in period livery.

Each car will be celebrated as it forms up on the Brabham Straight grid with many of the cars steered by their original drivers.

The massive grid will set off on a series of demonstration laps at the circuit.

“Many long-time race fans have fond memories of the traditional Bathurst pre-race spectacle of the 1970s and ‘80s,” said Glenn Matthews, CEO of the Australian Racing Drivers’ Club at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“This was a time of pipe bands, baton-twirlers, corny mascots, best-presented car awards and grand marshals commanding drivers to ‘start their engines’. So we’re bringing this spectacle back to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Great Race at Bathurst, the 1963 Armstrong 500, and the 75th anniversary of the Mount Panorama circuit’s opening.”

The hour-long grid spectacular will effectively be the half-time entertainment between morning and afternoon sessions of racing on Father’s Day.

The midday activity is open to all cars that competed in the Bathurst 500 or 1000 between 1963 and 2012.

Owners of genuine cars – covering the Series Production, Group C, Group A, Super Touring and V8 Supercar eras – in period livery are encouraged to participate.

There will be a dedicated static display area to show off these historically-significant vehicles before the Spectacular commences.

 Check out this video from Bathurst in 1977 including the pre-race activities