GT3 drivers and teams will return to Mount Panorama for the Liqui Moli Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race next year on February 3 to 5.
For the first time since 2020, the field will feature a fully professional outright class at the top of the field, with teams featuring all-pro driving line-ups.
The race reverted to a Pro-Am format in 2022 to account for the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic and ongoing global freight challenges at the time.
Strong support from Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli organisers, SRO Motorsports Group, coupled with strong interest from key brands and teams looking to return to the Mountain, confirmed to organisers that the time was right to return to the format that made Australia’s International Enduro one of the world’s top long-distance races.
The class structure will see Class A split into Pro, Pro-Am (for combinations including at least one Bronze-ranked driver) and Silver Cup (where all drivers must be categorised Silver or Bronze).
Class B will again be for the popular Porsche GT3 Cup Cars, including the latest Type-992 GT3, while Class C will feature GT4 machinery. The invitational class will also return to cater for vehicles including SRO GT2 machinery.
Class B and Invitational class entries must include at least one Bronze-ranked driver within their respective driving squads in 2023.
Also returning in 2023 will be the split Top-10 qualifying Shootout for pole position on Saturday afternoon.
Following regular qualifying, the 10 fastest cars will progress to the Shootout which will be comprised of two, 15-minute sessions for the Lower 50 per cent of the Top 10, followed by the top 50 per cent of cars.
The system was introduced in 2022 due to adverse weather conditions, however proved to offer a dramatic, competitive and entertaining battle for the coveted Allan Simonsen Pole Award.
This encouraged a decision to adopt it as the 12-Hour’s unique Shootout format moving forward.
The importance of Pro-Am competition within the race has also been further enhanced, with elements introduced in 2022 to remain: including separate Am-only practice sessions and the Am driver continuing to play a significant role in the qualifying position of all Pro-Am entries.
Stricter regulations will also be applied regarding the driving standards around Professional driver conduct in the race.
This includes significantly tougher penalties – including lengthy stop and go penalties that could see cars dropped off the lead lap – applied to Pro drivers that contact Am competitors at any point throughout the event.
These penalties have been included in the revised Sporting and Technical regulations for the 2023 race.
The ‘Lucky Dog’ wave around rule for cars one lap down will also be carried over from 2022.
The 2023 Liqui Moli Bathurst 12 Hour will be held on February 3-5, 2023.
Tickets are on sale for the event now via Ticketek or the Bathurst 12 Hour website.
An on-sale date for camping sales commencing will be confirmed soon, while other exciting additions will also be announced in due course.
Main image: Liqui Moli 12 Hour
