The V8 Supercars ultimate endurance race, Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, started on Thursday at Mount Panorama, with the main event taking place on Sunday.

Operation Westvale, a high-visibility policing strategy, was launched on Thursday to ensure the safety of competitors, officials, spectators and race enthusiasts.

Officers from Chifley Local Area Command and across Western Region will be assisted by officers attached to the Public Order and Riot Squad (PORS), Operations Support Group (OSG), Dog Unit, Licensing, Bicycle Unit, Youth Command (PCYC), Police Transport Command and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, to maintain a highly-visible presence in the area.

Operation Westvale Commander, Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie, said police want everyone attending the race to have a good time but not at the expense of other people’s safety.

“This is one of the greatest motorsport events in Australia and for some it is a pilgrimage that they make every year. We respect people’s right to enjoy the race weekend, but will not tolerate anti-social or criminal behaviour,” said Assistant Commissioner McKechnie.

“Over the years there have been a select few in the crowd that drink to excess and ruin it for others. This is why there is a strong police presence and strict alcohol restrictions in place.”

Each adult will be restricted to bringing one of the following items into the event each day:

* One carton of full-strength beer or full-strength premixed drinks in cans only (24 can); OR

* One block (36 cans of light or mid-strength beer (3.5% alcohol content or less); OR

* One cask of wine (up to four litres); OR

* One bottle of spirits (750mL – plastic bottle)

Glass is not permitted at the campgrounds, this includes jars.

Police, including drug-detection dogs, and event security will be conducting vehicle searches as racegoers enter the grounds.

“This is a warning to anyone thinking of bringing and using drugs onto the mountain – you will be arrested, charged, and immediately ejected from the venue or refused entry,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

“We will take the same approach to anyone caught breaking the law.”

Additional Traffic and Highway Patrol officers will be deployed across the weekend to target speeding, drink-driving and dangerous driver behaviour.

“We are expecting a significant increase in traffic, especially on the Great Western Highway, and we won’t tolerate any motorists trying to emulate their favourite racing car driver,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.

“Officers will come down hard on those law-breaking motorists who put not only themselves but other innocent road users at risk.

“I urge racegoers to allow extra travel time and be patient, as there will be tens of thousands of motorists travelling to the region around the same time,” Assistant Commissioner McKechnie said.