Bikes have officially returned to Mt Panorama, taking to the iconic circuit for the first time as a group since the Bathurst TT in 2000. The first motorcycle race at Bathurst was held on Mt Panorama on Easter Saturday 1938. Almost 90-years later, they are back on track.
The moment came during the weekend’s Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, which attracted 20,216 spectators who enjoyed perfect autumn weather and thrilling endurance racing. The 2026 edition delivered close competition across the field, with the annual production-car enduro again proving why it has become one of Australia’s most popular grassroots motorsport events.
But for motorcycle fans, the real headline came when a group of riders rolled onto the closed circuit for two special 15-minute demonstration sessions – the first motorcycles to lap Mount Panorama Circuit in a group in 26 years. The sessions were kept under wraps until successful completion Sunday afternoon, used as testers for future planned motorcycle events.
Six riders were invited by Bathurst Regional Council to take part in the historic return: Australian Superbike and International legends Shawn Giles, Roy Leslie and Ken Watson – plus experienced current racer Keo Watson and ex-racers Steve Wood and motorcycling publisher Jeff Ware.
Shawn Giles, multiple Australian Superbike Champion, “I’ve been coming to Bathurst at Easter since I was a child, as my family owned a motorcycle shop. Being back in the pits brings back memories and riding today with Roy Leslie was fantastic. I was getting Déjà vu over the mountain from our 1994 TT battle! The Suzuki GSX-8R was the perfect bike here and I look forward to riding here more often, everything went smoothly and to plan, with safety paramount” …
Roy Leslie, Racing Legend, “This was a great experience and a lot of fun. The last time I rode here was in 1994 racing against Shawn. Today I felt at home on the Ducati almost immediately, and in the second session it all started to come back – I hopped off wishing I had another dozen laps!” …
Ken Watson, Racing Luminary, “A lot of effort behind the scenes has gone into making this happen and everyone involved deserves a big pat on the back as everything went well and, more importantly, safely. It was fantastic to ride here again, the last time for me was the TT in 2000, and riding Mt Panorama on the TZ750 was a thrill” …
Organised through a huge collaborative effort between the event promotors ARG (Australian Racing Group) Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst Mayor Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor and Motorcycling Australia, the demonstration proved an immediate crowd favourite.
Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor, “Without the efforts of ARG and everyone involved, we would not have been able to make this historic moment happen. After the success of these demonstration laps, I will be meeting with MA and discussing future events and ideas for 2027 and beyond, it was fantastic to witness two wheels back on Mt Panorama” …
The bikes ran on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday morning, with excited fans, officials and car team members lining the fences around the famous circuit to witness the long-awaited return of two wheels to The Mountain.
Judging by the reception from spectators and organisers alike, the future for motorcycles in a non-competitive way at Mount Panorama Raceway suddenly looks very promising. Stay tuned for more news as plans for 2027 and beyond are announced by organisers and promotors.
