Bikes have officially returned to Mt Panorama, albeit for a demonstration run, taking to the iconic circuit for the first time as a group since the Bathurst TT in 2000. The first motorcycle race at the circuit was held 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 (won by Thomas Randle and the Kavich brothers), an event which attracted 20,216 spectators.
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.
The list included 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.
“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,” multiple Australian Superbike champion Shawn Giles said.
“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”
That sentiment was echoed by racing legend Roy Leslie, who described the experience as a lot of fun, particularly aboard his Ducati. Racing luminary Ken Watson had the same sort of enthusiasm.
“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,” he said.
“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 by ARG (Australian Racing Group), Bathurst Regional Council, Bathurst Mayor Cr. Robert ‘Stumpy’ Taylor and Motorcycling Australia, the demonstration proved an immediate crowd favourite.
“Without the efforts of ARG and everyone involved, we would not have been able to make this historic moment happen,” Cr. Taylor said.
“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.
Images courtesy of JPMedia.
