Bathurst 6 Hour organisers have announced the support bill for the 2018 event with Historic Formula Ford and Series X3 Excel joining the program.

Formula Ford last appeared at Mount Panorama in 2015, and will be contested next year by the three historic classes: Fa (pre-1978), Fb (1978-1983), and Fc (1984-1989).

“It’s a great opportunity to showcase Historic Formula Ford, because it will be the first time there has been an all-historic race at Bathurst,” said Historic Formula Ford Australia Secretary Scott Blake.

“Historic cars have run in the past alongside the modern cars, but this time the historic vehicles will be in the spotlight.”

Series X3 Excel, the state-level one-make series for the Hyundai light car, will make its debut at the event amid a nationwide boom for the category.

“We’ve worked really hard over the last few years to grow our competitor base in NSW, and Excel racing all of Australia has exploded in popularity over the last 24 months,” said Series X3 NSW President Michael Ridings.

“It really is becoming one of the most accessible options for competing in motorsport, and our competitors are thrilled to have the opportunity to compete at the undisputed Holy Grail of Australian motorsport.

“We are most grateful to James O’Brien and the entire Bathurst 6 Hour management team and can’t wait to arrive with a big field of cars and put on a spectacular show next Easter.”

Emily Duggan holds the fastest official time for a Hyundai Excel around Mount Panorama, recording a 3:00.674 at last year’s Challenge Bathurst event in November.

The other support categories will be Group N Historic Touring Cars, Production Sports Cars, and the Porsche Club of NSW Regularity.

The 2018 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will again be held over Easter (March 30-April 1).