Bathurst 12 Hour

The Bathurst 12 Hour represents the opening round of the 2026 Intercontinental GT Challenge. This endurance race takes place at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. The event features FIA GT3 cars and invited vehicles competing across 12 hours of racing. The 2026 edition brings together 34 cars and 115 drivers from 22 countries to compete on one of motorsport's most challenging circuits.

About Mount Panorama Circuit

Mount Panorama, also known as Wahluu, serves as the venue for the Bathurst 12 Hour. The circuit measures 6.213 kilometers (3.861 miles) in length. This street circuit operates as a public road when racing is not scheduled. The track has a 60 km/h speed limit during regular use.

The circuit climbs 174 meters (571 feet) from its lowest point to its highest point. Some sections feature gradients as steep as 1:6.13. The layout includes several demanding corners and sections. Hell Corner marks the start of the lap. The Esses test driver precision through a series of quick direction changes. Sulman Park requires high-speed commitment. The Conrod Straight allows cars to exceed 300 km/h before The Chase chicane forces hard braking.

Mount Panorama was developed from a dirt track and tourist drive during The Depression as a national employment relief project. The first race took place in April 1938. The Conrod Straight earned its name from a con-rod failure that ended a race in 1939.

Race Format and Schedule

The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour features multiple practice sessions leading up to the main race. Qualifying consists of three parts. The top ten qualifiers compete in the Pirelli Pole Battle to determine the final starting grid positions. The 12-hour race tests both driver skill and mechanical reliability across Mount Panorama's demanding layout.

The event includes additional activities beyond the race itself. Car displays showcase the competing vehicles. Entertainment zones provide fan engagement opportunities. Unique bars and food offerings create a festival atmosphere. The Track to Town event sees race cars parade from Mount Panorama to Russell Street, giving fans close access to the cars and drivers.

Competitors and Teams

The 2026 entry list includes nine former winners who have claimed a combined 15 Bathurst 12 Hour victories. At least one winner from each of the last six races returns to compete. Previous champions Augusto Farfus and Kelvin van der Linde defend their 2025 victory.

Several full-time Supercars drivers compete alongside international GT and factory drivers. Chaz Mostert, Will Brown, Broc Feeney, Cameron Waters, and Thomas Randle represent the Supercars contingent. Cameron Waters, Chaz Mostert, and Thomas Randle share the #222 Mercedes-AMG that secured pole position. Lucas Auer drives the #77 Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing Mercedes.

The #75 Express Mercedes features Luca Stolz, Kenny Habul, and Jules Gounon. Matt Campbell pilots the #911 Absolute Racing Porsche. MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi makes his third Bathurst 12 Hour attempt in the #46 Team WRT BMW alongside Augusto Farfus and Raffaele Marciello.

The #64 HRT Ford Racing Ford Mustang GT3 marks the car's Australian debut. Broc Feeney, Dennis Olsen, and Christopher Mies drive this entry. Alexander Sims, Nicky Catsburg, and Earl Bamber share the #2 Corvette. The Quinn family makes history with four generations competing. Grandfather Tony, sons Kent and Klark, and grandson Ryder all race in an Audi R8. McLaren returns to GT3 competition for the first time since 2020.

Technical Regulations

The Bathurst 12 Hour primarily features FIA GT3-homologated cars. The entry list divides into several classes based on car specifications and driver ratings.

Class A – GT3

Class A includes current specification FIA GT3 cars. This class has four divisions. The Pro division has no driver restrictions. Pro-Am requires driving combinations with one or two FIA Platinum, Gold, or Silver drivers and two Bronze drivers. Silver Cup exclusively allows FIA Silver and Bronze rated drivers. The Bronze division requires one Platinum or Gold driver, one Silver driver, and one Bronze driver.

Class B – Porsche Cup

Class B features Porsche GT3 Cup cars from one-make racing series.

Class C – GT4

Class C includes current specification SRO GT4 cars.

Class I – Invitational

The Invitational class welcomes IRC GT cars, SRO GT2 cars, and other special GT cars.

All cars must conform to the Balance of Performance (BoP) document. The BoP can impose limits on the number of green flag laps between pit stops. Drivers must complete a mandatory Motorsport Australia Driving Regulations Review Test (DRRT) online.

Event History

The Bathurst 12 Hour originated in 1991 as a production car endurance race. The event drew inspiration from the Bathurst 500/1000. Manufacturers quickly provided support but financial challenges led to relocation to Eastern Creek Raceway in 1995. The event was discontinued until a revival in 2007.

The race transformed in 2011 with the adoption of GT3 regulations. Audi's promotional involvement elevated the event to international prominence. The Bathurst 12 Hour joined the Intercontinental GT Challenge in 2016. Audi has competed in 15 consecutive editions since their debut victory in 2011.

The race has produced memorable finishes. The 2014 edition saw Craig Lowndes and Maximilian Buhk battle to a 0.4138-second margin of victory, the closest in race history. Katsumasa Chiyo charged from fourth to first in the final two laps of the 2015 race. The 2020 edition featured 34 lead changes, the highest number recorded.

What Makes This Event Special

The Bathurst 12 Hour combines international GT racing with one of motorsport's most challenging circuits. Mount Panorama's dramatic elevation changes and high-speed sections create a unique test for drivers and teams. The mix of international factory drivers and Australian Supercars stars produces diverse competition.

The intercontinental-gt-challenge status brings global attention to the event. As the opening round, the race sets the tone for the championship season. The combination of professional racing and fan accessibility through events like Track to Town creates an engaging experience. The 2026 edition continues this tradition with a strong entry list and competitive field across multiple classes.