MSV Makes Minor Improvements as Bathurst Adds Risky Skyline Boardwalk

Over the winter months, in preparation for the now prorogued motorsport season, MSV had been working hard to make their circuits safer for both drivers and fans.

Contrary to the likes of Brands Hatch and Oulton Park in the UK, Australia’s Mount Panorama in Bathurst has unveiled a new project that looks anything but safe – a boardwalk along the top of the Mountain at fast left-hander Skyline.

After such a destructive Bathurst 12 Hour in January, some fans believed an overhaul to the circuit’s safety measures was in order. However, unlike MSV, track officials believe this to not be such a pressing matter.

Thanks to the COVID-19 outbreak, MSV, and its inclusive racetracks, have issued in full their safety plans to try to appease restless fans and their boredom. At Brands Hatch, the famous final corner, Clearways, has had its gravel trap extended – fans will now be pushed further back, but a new viewing station will also be created as a result.

Reacting to the changes, Brands Hatch circuit manager Mike Groves said:

“This major on-track project is a hugely positive move which massively promotes the safety of competitors, both in car and motorcycle racing. This development significantly increases the size of our gravel trap run-off at Clearways and Clark Curve but will continue to allow spectators to view from that area of the venue if they so wish.”

Oulton Park has seen improvements made at two locations. Corners Old Hall and Lodge will now have concrete run-off areas as opposed to the original grass. Snetterton and Donington Park have also had safety adjustments, but are far more minor compared to the previous two (barrier replacements and extra lights).

Over in Australia, however, the same can’t be said about their new track additions. Thanks to the various crashes witnessed in the latest instalment of the Bathurst 12 Hour, many spectators worldwide questioned whether the Mountain was adequately safe for fans and drivers alike.

Safer barriers and larger gravel traps would be beneficial at different stages, particularly at McPhillamys and Skyline (where a Lamborghini rose up on to the tyre barrier). Mount Panorama is worshipped by many devout fans, and so any changes to the layout of their beloved track would be deeply controversial, throwing a cat among the pigeons in the pursuit of safety.

It was recently announced by Visit Bathurst New South Wales that a new boardwalk had been installed at the top of the Mountain, running alongside the tarmac at Skyline. Naturally unsafe at an event, the walk will be closed during races. Nevertheless, many have questioned the decision to implement this feature.

Whilst the views available would be inherently stunning, motorsport fans have voiced their worries about obscuring the Mountain’s beautiful backdrop from varying spectator spots during races. Questions will most definitely be asked if a car collides with the metal framework, as vehicles have been known to launch upwards when contacting the wall at Skyline.

There is still space to implement catch fencing, though the nature of which is designed to absorb impact by bending around the car. Hardly a fix-all for those standing less than a metre behind.

It is interesting to see the different alterations racetracks have been making in preparation for the postponed racing season, and only time will truly tell of their effects.