Gareth Jones onboard the Demolition Plus during The 6 Hour weekend at Oran Park last year. Image: Andrew Gosling.

With less than three months remaining before the start of Australia’s inaugural Endurance Road Racing Championship, the Bel-Ray 6 Hour is shaping up to become the nation’s most lucrative road racing event.

Event promoter James Spence has secured a level of support unheard of in Australian road racing, with the prize pool now exceeding $60,000.

“I’m very pleased with Bel-Ray, the four main tyre distributors and Honda Australia for becoming a part of our championship,” Spence said. “In the golden years the 6 Hour was a race run and won on the best tyre and bike package available. Now everyone has access to the same tyres and bikes.

“Our event will host some big names and strong teams but everyone competing will have the opportunity to prepare themselves and their bike as well as choose the best equipment just like any other team.

“As we experienced last year, the most important aspects of Endurance racing are preparation before the race, staying out of trouble during the race and spending as little time as possible in the pits during pit stops. I believe anyone can win this race.”

As International riders and teams cast an inquisitive eye over the Bel-Ray 6 Hour, one can only imagine that on Sunday 5 December Phillip Island will herald another step toward the return of the golden years of Australian Endurance racing.

29 teams have entered the 2010 Bel-Ray 6 Hour , however that figure is expected to increase to more than 40 teams as we move closer to the race.

The 2010 Bel Ray 6 Hour will be held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit over the weekend of 3-5 December. The 6 Hour will commence with the traditional Le Mans style start at 10:30am with none other than 6 Hour legend and GP hero Kevin Magee giving the riders their starting orders.

A two-hour TV program will capture all the action and will be developed and shown on Fox Sports with details and replay times and dates to be released in early October.

Supplementary rules and regulations have been released for this years’ event and are available on the website along with event information and entry forms.

Visit www.the6hour.com.au for details.