The Bathurst 1000 has seen many sponsors come and go over the years – from beers to banks, automotive products and a company that these days is better known for its controversial manufacturing of asbestos …
While the Bathurst 1000 celebrates 50 years at Mount Panorama this year, the event’s history as a 1000km race began in 1973 with title backing from Hardie-Ferodo.
The race remained under that title for eight years until the parent company James Hardie took over the title backing, lasting until the infamous 1987 race.
Australia’s bicentennial year of 1988 saw Sydney-based brewery giant Tooheys take over as the race’s naming-rights sponsor, a deal which lasted until 1995.
The 1996 race saw banking and finance company AMP assume top billing, covering the 1996 V8 race, plus the two Super Tourer races.
The 1997 V8 race had backing from Primus Telecommunications, before insurance company FAI backed the race from 1998 to 2000.
The race was void of major sponsorship in 2001, known as the ‘V8 Supercar 1000.’
The next three years saw Bob Jane T-Marts adorn the famous start-line bridge, before Supercheap Auto signed on. The current deal for the aftermarket parts supplier expires in 2015, which will make it the longest-running backer of the event.
The name may change, but race is the same. So, what’s the most iconic title of ‘The Great Race?’ Vote now on Speedcafe.com’s Pirtek Poll …
