Grid pushes beyond 30 cars for first time since 2020
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THE MEGUIAR’S Bathurst 12 Hour field has crossed the 30-car milestone for the first time in six years as a blockbuster grid forms to tackle Australia’s International Endurance race on February 13-15 next year.
It’s shaping as the largest grid to tackle the around-the-clock race on Mount Panorama since 2020, when 34 cars started.
The entry list has lately been bolstered by the first car confirmed in the Invitational class for 2026.
Back to defend their hard-earned victory this year, David Crampton’s popular Vantage Racing squad will return with their popular KTM X-Bow GT2 that, following several years of trying, finally scored an emotional class win in this year’s race.
The car had started three previous Bathurst enduros however a combination of accident damage and reliability issues had frustratingly forced them out of each race.
Preserving for a fourth campaign this year, however, netted them not only a race finish but a hugely popular and well-earned Invitational class win for the first time.
To be again prepared by GWR Australia, Crampton will be joined by regular co pilots Glen Wood and Trent Harrison for their return bout and bid for a Bathurst double this year.
GWR will also field the RAM Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 that was one of the race’s first entries this year.
Entries have been received from overseas and Australia in the outright GT3 category and the Pro, Silver, Pro-Am and Bronze sub-classes within it.
GT4 entries have also been lodged, ensuring the field will be one of the most diverse in years. More than 10 different brands are expected to compete in 2026.
Eight GT3 brands are already represented - once again comfortably the most since 2020 - with Corvette set to make their 12-Hour debut with the C8.R GT3 car next February.
Former winners BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mercedes-AMG, Lamborghini and Ferrari are all confirmed with their current-specification GT3 machinery.
McLaren will return for the first time since 2020 via British team Optimum Motorsport, while several new teams – including Optimum – will make their respective debuts next year.
Chinese team KRT have entered a BMW M4 GT3, while the Italian Tsunami RT and Danish squad High Class Racing have each confirmed Porsche 911 GT3R entries.
Local squads Arise Racing, GWR / RAM Motorsport and Scott Taylor Motorsport, who have announced an all-star driving squad of Cameron Waters, Thomas Randle and Chaz Mostert, and more are to come.
The Bathurst 12 Hour has an average starting field size of 35 cars across the 14 editions the race has been run with GT3 cars as the outright category.
Audi shares the top of the all-time winners list with Mercedes-AMG, while Ferrari have claimed two wins and Nissan, Porsche, Bentley, McLaren and most recently, BMW, have each claimed a single win.
More entry news will flow before Christmas with a provisional entry list expected to be locked in ahead of the holiday period this year.
Entries for the race officially close in early January next year.
Tickets, Camping, VIP camping, Grandstand, Corporate and VIP experiences are all on sale now via the event website.
