THE 6 HOUR:

Alex (left) and Damian (middle) Cudlin will feature in The 6 Hour at Oran Park.

The 2009 6 Hour will mark not only the resurrection of one of Australia’s premier races but also the final race meeting for Oran Park.

Oran Park Raceway has been Sydney’s favourite motor racing venue since 1962. It is steeped in tradition and holds pride of place in Australian motorsport as the longest continuous host of a round of the Australian Touring Car. Oran Park is a home to all motorsport and everything in between. The first motorcycle race meeting was held on 17 February, with reigning Grand Prix Champion Jim Redman being the star attraction.

Redman won nearly every class and set the lap record of 50.4 seconds, only 0.8 seconds slower than Frank Matich’s outright time set in a 2.6 litre Lotus sports car.

The Australian Grand Prix was held at Oran Park in 1974 and 1977 and in 1988 and 1989 Oran park played host to the Superbike World Championship. The closure of the track will end 47 years of motor sport heritage.

The 6 Hour is being presented by Bel-Ray and will be a fitting Grand Finale for Oran Park.

With over 30 teams including names such as Warwick Nowland (endurance world
champion 2000–2002), Damian and Alex Cudlin, Jason Kain, Rodney Taplin, Rennie Scaysbrook, Russell Holland, Craig Coxhell, Gareth Jones, Phil Lovett, Grant Hay, Zac Davies, Jaime Aitken, amongst the 90 riders that will compete in the 6 Hour.

They will all be vying to go down in history as the winner of the last ever race at Oran Park as well as take their share of the $25,000 in cash and prizes on offer.

The 6 Hour will commemorate this historic occasion on the Sunday with a Past Champions Parade before the start of the big race. Jack Ahearn, Neil Chivas, Kevin Magee (winner of the last 6 Hour) will be amongst the stars. There will also be a number of exhibition stands including previous 6 Hour winning bikes, Motor Books from the years and displays of restored Japanese bikes and Historic Bikes from the last 40 years.

The 6 hour will include a Le Mans style start at 10.30 with riders being given their starting orders by racing legend Kevin Magee. Gates open at 8am.

Tickets for the event are available online at www.the6hour.com.au with an early bird discounted price of $25.

Your entry ticket will get you in the gate both days.

Don’t miss it.