What Is 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000

Overview

The 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 was one of the most dramatic editions of Australia’s premier touring car race. Held annually at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, the event draws massive crowds and global attention for its high-speed endurance racing.

This year marked a significant milestone for Ford Performance Racing, which claimed its first Bathurst 1000 victory since 2006. The race combined speed, strategy, and mechanical endurance over a grueling 161-lap course on a challenging 6.213-kilometer track.

• October 6, 2013: The race was held on this date, marking the 57th running of the Bathurst 1000, one of the oldest motorsport events in Australia.
• David Reynolds and Dean Canto: The winning duo drove car #6, a Ford Falcon FG, securing their first Bathurst 1000 win as a team.
• 161 laps completed: The race covered a total distance of approximately 1,000 kilometers, consistent with the event’s name and endurance format.
• 6:18:42 total time: The winning team completed the race in just over six hours and 18 minutes, maintaining consistent pace despite multiple safety car periods.
• Ford Performance Racing: This victory was the team’s first Bathurst 1000 win since 2006, ending an eight-year drought and boosting morale for the Ford camp.

How It Works

The Bathurst 1000 is a co-driver endurance race, requiring two drivers to share a single car over a 1,000-kilometer distance. Teams must balance speed, fuel strategy, tire wear, and pit stops to win.

• Endurance Format: Each team fields two drivers who alternate stints, with mandatory pit stops for fuel, tires, and driver changes throughout the race.
• Mount Panorama Circuit: The 6.213-kilometer track features elevation changes, blind crests, and high-speed corners, making it one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport.
• Co-Driver Rules: Both drivers must complete at least two stints, and no single stint can exceed two hours in duration.
• Fuel Strategy: Teams typically make 4–6 pit stops, with fuel windows calculated to maximize track position while minimizing time lost.
• Tire Management: Drivers use Dunlop control tires, and managing tread wear on Mount Panorama’s abrasive surface is critical for performance.
• Safety Car Interventions: Crashes or debris trigger safety car periods, bunching the field and often reshaping race strategy dramatically.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the top finishers compared in the 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000:

The race was one of the closest in history, with the winning margin being just over one second — the smallest in Bathurst 1000 history at the time. This narrow gap highlighted the intense competition and precision required in pit strategy and on-track performance. The tight finish underscored the importance of reliability and driver consistency under pressure, especially with multiple safety car interruptions affecting race dynamics.

Why It Matters

The 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 had lasting implications for Australian motorsport, influencing team strategies, manufacturer rivalries, and fan engagement. Its dramatic finish and record-setting closeness elevated its status in racing history.

• Historic win for Ford: The victory marked Ford Performance Racing’s return to dominance, reinforcing Ford’s competitiveness against Holden in the V8 Supercars series.
• Narrowest winning margin: The 1.008-second gap set a new record for the closest finish in Bathurst 1000 history, surpassing the previous 1977 record.
• Boost for co-driver recognition: Dean Canto’s role emphasized the importance of endurance specialists in long-format races.
• Impact on championship standings: The result significantly influenced the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship, affecting points distribution and team rankings.
• Increased viewership: The dramatic finish attracted over 6 million Australian TV viewers, one of the highest for a motorsport event.
• Legacy of reliability: The race demonstrated how mechanical endurance and team coordination could outweigh raw speed in determining outcomes.

Overall, the 2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 remains a benchmark for competitive balance and excitement in Australian motorsport, remembered for its tension, strategy, and unforgettable finish.