It was a fantastic day of racing that I enjoyed with my dad and best mates along with over 60,000 races fan as we helped celebrate 50 years of the great race.
The celebrations lasted all weekend and there were many displays and laps of all the classic motor cars that had won Bathurst race over the past half century –
From Dick Johnson's rock he famously crashed into, Greg Murphy's record setting pole car when he broke the 2 minutes 7 barrier, the 1966 Mini that still chugged along (starting before the rest of the pack on the demonstration lap and finishing well after the rest of the drivers had parked and started on the lunch caravan!), Bob Janes inaugural winning 1963 Cortina and the late Peter Brock's 9 race winning vehicles.
It was great to see history come alive and for the cars stowed away in the museum to stretch their legs and go around the circuit they helped make this legend.
It wasn't only about history at the 50th Celebration, the future was also showcased with the Car of the Future showing what it was made of when it starts competitive racing for the 2013 season.
The Air Force put on a fantastic show with the 'RAAF Roulettes' doing the fighter plane equivalent of ball room dancing as they looped, twirled, spun, raced, dipped and rolled over the skies above the Mountain.
These however were overshadowed by the FA-18 Hornet that screamed overhead, well not really screamed but rather flew so fast that 7 seconds later the noise finally caught up and shook you all over – those not paying attention, well many a drink or hot chips was dropped by the fright of the Hornet!
Perhaps the most important part of the race was well before it started, Gary Coleman, the V8 Supercars Chaplain, said a prayer over the drivers, pit crews, officials and fans for a safe race and for good sportsmanship between all attending and it was answered.
The race came down to the wire between the current champion and a young rookie and many exciting moments were added to legend that will continue to be the Bathurst 1000
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is an under-graduate student.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html