Improvements made to Bathurst circuit

Mount Panorama has undergone several minor improvements to the circuit ahead of this weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

The bulk of the changes centre around barriers although changes have also been made to gravel traps at the request of the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport.

Barriers at The Chase have been the focus of the improvements with the tyre wall on the right-hand side of complex in front of the Rydges Hotel now featuring a conveyer belt across the front.

Meanwhile, the barrier situated at the end for the gravel trap has had a section removed, leaving a gap between it and the concrete wall.

The gap will allow cars that fail to make the corner to travel through the gravel trap and pass through the open space to the drivers’ left before rejoining the track the other side of the barrier.

Likewise if a car is stranded in the gravel trap, recovery vehicles can now take advantage of the gap.

At the top of the mountain a barrier at The Esses has been shortened by six metres.

The gravel trap at Murrays’ corner has been shortened by 20 metres while the sand on the run off at Hell Corner has been extended.

Supercars will hit the track for the first time tomorrow when opening practice begins at 0935 AEST.