The starting line is fast approaching for the 2015 Cessnock Mitsubishi Australian Postie Bike Grand Prix, which was launched at Peden’s Hotel on Thursday.
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The event, in its second year, is set down for November 1 with some top international-level riders set to race through the streets of Cessnock CBD.
Media personality Mark Bracks will be commentating the event for a second time, and announced on Thursday that three-time world superbike champion and grand prix winner Troy Bayliss, last year’s winners Luke Richards and Marty McNamara and local motorsport legend Chris Watson will be competing, as well as a tentative booking for three-time world speedway champion Jason Crump.
The event attracted around 10,000 spectators last year, and Bracks said this year will be even better.
“If there was 10,000 people last year, [and] with the Melbourne Cup on the Tuesday, I reckon there’ll be a lot more people that will make it a long weekend of this,” he said.
“It’s looking like a great event.”
Staging the event on the iconic postie bikes means the race will be an exciting event but the relatively low speeds will make it easier for spectators of all ages to watch.
There will be three heats on the day, featuring a maximum of 27 teams per race, with each team being made up of two riders and two pit persons.
The top nine teams from each heat will go through to the grand prix, plus one wild card team selected by Cessnock Mitsubishi.
Along with the races, there will be markets, kids’ entertainment, food stalls, VIP area and more on the day.
Cessnock City Council has approved the event to take place on the final Sunday in October for the next five years.