Arabic version: إغلاق طريق سريع ينذر بتأخيرات في السفر إلى باثورست 1000

According to ABC News, more than 200,000 motor racing fans are expected at the Bathurst 1000 this weekend, with authorities warning of major travel delays while the Great Western Highway remains closed at Victoria Pass.

The highway has been shut in both directions since March, diverting traffic onto the Darling Causeway and Bells Line of Road. On Monday, drivers travelling from Central West NSW faced a queue of about 12 kilometres into Lithgow, with trips over the Blue Mountains extended by several hours.

Transport for NSW coordinator-general Howard Collins said racegoers from Sydney would be forced onto a single road through Lithgow to reach Bathurst. The agency has urged drivers to allow extra time and suggested routes including the Golden Highway from the north or the Hume Highway via Goulburn. Drones and additional tow trucks have been deployed to monitor traffic and respond to breakdowns and crashes.

The four-day event begins with practice laps on Thursday before Sunday’s main race, which will pay tribute to Peter Brock, who died 20 years ago. Some spectators have arrived early and set up camp at Mount Panorama. Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Ben Fry said visitors were arriving sooner because they knew delays were likely.

The council will host a Monday-night concert featuring The Angels and The Choirboys, supported by $185,000 in state government funding, to encourage fans to remain in the region for an extra night. Campers at Mount Panorama and council-run sites can also stay beyond the traditional midday Monday departure time. Police have begun a high-visibility operation through Monday targeting speeding, drink-driving, fatigue and dangerous driving.