Event date: Thursday-Monday, 2-6 February 2023

Trip up.

Road trip to Bathurst 12 hour started with a car full of flags we are ready, got our BMW coffee mugs and water bottles.

Who said Motorsport can't be glamorous, thank you #sirenepearls for Jo’s amazing black pearls which she will be wearing all weekend.

So, we’ve had a very leisurely drive up to Bathurst this time.

After picking up our rear seat passenger in Melbourne we stopped for a visit and lunch at a lovely venue we wanted to scope out for a future event then drove on up to Junee for the night.

This morning the plan was to start the day with a nice breakfast at the chocolate factory, load up with licorice then head on to Bathurst, but the restaurant is under renovation, so we just filled up with goodies and had breakfast in town at the railway restaurant. So glad we did. What a lovely building and delicious breaky it was.

It’s great to take time and do a little exploring when you travel, you find some real gems of places.

Good to see the roads are slowly getting back to normal and the potholes are slowly getting repaired. The roads were shocking after all the rain through NSW but finally it is getting much better to drive up.

Upon arrival at Bathurst, we checked into the lovely Motel and once settled we went off for dinner and meet up with our friends from Melbourne and Gold Coast BMW Clubs that are joining us this year in the 12 Hour Club.

Looking forward to the next three days relaxing and enjoying the event, it will be great.

Day 1 at the Track.

Where else would you want to be on a beautiful sunny summer’s morning?

The action is underway at ’The Mountain.’

Fantastic first day of on track activities at the 12 Hour for 2023.

Great bunch of BMW Club members from three states here joining us in the 12Hour Club on top of the pit building. Really is a great way to do this event.

Had a visit and chat with Craig Lowndes, who invited us down to his garage for an up close with their car, even let us sign the rear bumper for a charity donation to prostate cancer.

Also had a tour today of the Supercheap Auto garage with triple8.

A couple of drivers came up to show us how to do the mountain on the sims in the 12Hour Club too which was actually funny to watch, as they were complaining about not getting any feedback.  

Lots of noise and fun had, lots of chats and catch-ups with people we see at tracks all the time and quite a few new friendships made.

If you love GT cars, this is the place to be.

Looking forward to seeing the Red Bull F1 car tomorrow and out tour of the BMW Garages and more.

Day 2 at the track.

Absolutely awesome day up at Mt Panorama today. No other way to describe it.

Perfect weather, great company, fantastic being in the 12 Hour Club and being able to come and go, eat as much delicious food and drink what we like. Having visits from drivers and teams.

To see and hear the RB7 F1 car and the Camaro playing together was just amazing!

Great having BMW members from clubs up and down the coast coming together and joining us as well.

Then after the days fun we go back to our motel for a rest we get together for another lovely dinner.

We are so lucky to have Jo to work her magic and get us all the extra things too.

Today we had an hour-long private tour of the BMW Garages and compound behind the pits, where we even had a brief encounter with the mythical Valentino Rossi. Roy from BMW Motorsport chatted and answered all our questions and couldn’t be more accommodating to our group again this year.

In the morning we have grid walk passes too. Means a very early start tomorrow but again it will be worth it.

This is such a great event, one you should all think about coming to in the future. It is so worth it.

Day 3 at the Track.

Early morning start but it is always worth it to get this close to the action.

Long day ahead but we are hoping BMW has a great run.

Great to spend this weekend WITH our friends from BMWCGC, BMWDCNSW and BMWCCC.

Very early start this morning to be on the grid for the walk through and then the predawn start.

Great start and going good so far. First hour nearly done and both BMWs running 5th and 6th.

End of an awesome weekend of amazing cars, great racing, great people, delicious food and drinks and too much of it.

Long day today, at the track at 4.45 so we could be in place for our grid walk at 5 before the start of the race. Jo managed to arrange a bunch of tickets for our group, thank you Jo.

Was great to go out and wish the teams luck for the race ahead.

Perfect weather all day and minimal safety cars meant the race broke 2000km in the 12 hours. Amazing.

Both WRT BMWs ran strong all day finishing in 4th and 6th. Sadly, just off the podium, but pretty good for a new car with a new Team.

Already looking forward to next year!

Keep an eye on your club emails, as we are thinking about doing a BMW Club Corporate Box next year, with all the trimmings instead of the 12 Hour Club. If we do there may be options like 1, 2 or all 3 days. We had a meeting with the organisers and will work on prices and see what interest there is.

If you have thought of doing this event, it is well worth it, so watch this space.

Trip Home.

After a fantastic weekend with friends and family, sadly we have to head home.

We did the drive straight through this time but stopped for a leisurely lunch in Old Gundagai and then again in Yea.

Till next year, where we hope to be bigger and better.

Graeme Bell | Member #1
BMW Drivers Club Melbourne