Spectators at the Bathurst 1000 - a three-day race meeting staged this week - will be told to stick to just the one "slab" of beer while at the racetrack.

Wine-drinkers must also show restraint, facing a four litres per day limit.

Police hope the limits will prevent the famous New South Wales race being blighted by alcohol-related violence.

Known as "The Great Race", the Bathurst 1000 is a 1,000km (621 mile) event, the highlight of the three-day meeting held annually in the town of the same name.

Boasting a long, proud history, the race - seen as the most prestigious motor event in Australia - is currently contested by teams of drivers racing powerful touring cars equipped with V8 engines.

The "one-slab" limit was first imposed in 2007, with police insisting drunken hooligans were tarnishing the reputation of the race and causing disruption in town.

Those choosing to drink lower-strength beer will be allowed to bring in 36 cans, police said.