In his first visit to Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was delighted to see the return of fans back at the track.
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While the crowd wasn't at the level of previous races pre-COVID-19, fans were are able to enjoy the Bathurst 1000 with very few restrictions, which seemed unlikely only a number of months ago.
Mr Perrottet said he was thrilled to be in Bathurst for the Great Race, saying it's not only a major event for the city but for the whole of NSW and beyond.
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"This crowd is awesome. They're pumped, they're passionate and it's great to have crowds back," he said.
"It's a major event for Bathurst, it's an amazing event for our state and whatever we can do to contribute to make it great, we will.
"The optimism and the hope that is around is fantastic, it's phenomenal.
"People want to open up, they don't want to go backwards and that's what we're focused on."
While he's gone around the track a number of times when visiting Bathurst, he's never been at Mount Panorama for the Great Race, which is being held outside of its usual October time frame after it was postponed because of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Mr Perrottet said he's committed to coming back to the Bathurst 1000 in the future.
"I've been to the track a number of times but it's the first time I've been here for the races," he said.
"It's an awesome experience and I'll be back every year."
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was taken for a hot lap around Mount Panorama by commentator and six-time Bathurst 1000 champion Mark Skaife.
During the live interview, Mr Morrison described the Mount Panorama track as "one of the best" in the world.
"It's one of Australia's great institutions and, if not, one of the best race courses in the world. It's absolutely magnificent," he said.
"I've got to say, it's great to see a lot of green out there, looking out from Mount Panorama. Last time I was here, we were in drought.
"This time, we're looking at floods. For everyone dealing with the floods right now, we're thinking of you. Today, you can sit back and watch the greatest race there is."
Mr Morrison said people would be tuning into the Great Race from all around the world.
"People will be tuning in from all around the world and what they'll see is Australia open, double vaxxed and people are back at the track," he said.
"It shows where we're going, looking at the windscreen, not in the rear view mirror."