Night practice highlights 2022 12-Hour event schedule

THE FIRST practice session to be held at night in event history highlights the full on-track schedule released today for the 2022 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour on May 13-15.

A 40-minute practice session to start at 5:05pm on the Friday evening of the event – with sunset at 5:12pm local time - will give teams and drivers an opportunity to experience Mount Panorama at night to assist preparations for the extended night-time running in the race this year.

The race shifting to a May date this year means that up to 90 minutes of racing on Sunday, May 15 will be in dark conditions following the 5:15am race start.

The 2022 schedule has been designed to maximise running for the ‘Amateur’ drivers entered in the race to ensure they are best prepared for the 12-Hour enduro.

The additional Friday night practice session follows three earlier practice sessions on the opening day of the event, with practice one commencing at 10:00am for Bronze-ranked drivers only.

A further 30-minutes of running follows immediately for all drivers, with practice three later that day also reserved for Bronze-ranked drivers.

Two one-hour long sessions will complete practice running on Saturday morning and will be open to all drivers.

Qualifying commences at 1:20pm on Saturday 14 May with Bronze-ranked drivers having the first 25 minutes to themselves, before the Professional drivers step in for the second part.

The grid will be determined by an aggregate time between the fastest Pro and fastest Am drivers in each car.

The traditional Bathurst Top-10 shootout will then determine the first five rows of the grid at 4:10pm on Saturday afternoon.

The 2022 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour then commences at 5:15am on Sunday, 15 May.

Sunrise is scheduled for 6:46am that morning, ensuring a record amount of racing at night this year.

The race finish, set for one lap after 17:13pm local time, will come five minutes after sunset.

Other highlights include three races each for the Toyota GAZOO Racing Australia 86 Series and Bathurst 12 Hour Combined Sedans grids, and four races for Aussie Racing Cars.

A Bathurst 12 Hour drivers autograph session will also be held on Saturday afternoon in the paddock.

Action on Saturday and Sunday will be broadcast on Fox Sports, Kayo Sport and the Seven Network.

Tickets remain on sale via Ticketek.

PAUL MARTIN – Motorsport Operations Manager

“We’re very pleased with the schedule which offers lots of track time for all drivers, with a focus on the Bronze-ranked competitors that will make up a big portion of the field this year.

“The Friday evening session will be important to get people up to speed with running at night prior to the race start on Sunday morning.

“Saturday will then build throughout the day with practice, qualifying and the Top-10 Shootout which is always a Bathurst highlight.

“Outside of the 12-Hour sessions, it’s a busy weekend with three support categories and lots of on-track action for fans at the circuit and those watching from home.”

KEY TIMES: LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour

Friday, 13 May

10:00 - 10:30 - Practice 1 (Bronze only)10:40 - 11:10 - Practice 215:20 - 16:00 - Practice 3 (Bronze only)17:05 - 17:45 - Practice 4

Saturday, 14 May

8:05 - 9:05 - Practice 59:55 - 10:55 - Practice 613:20 - 13:45 - Qualifying 1 (All classes, Bronze drivers only)13:55 - 14:20 - Qualifying 2 (All classes, Pro only)16:10 - 16:55 - Top 10 Shootout

Sunday, 15 May

05:15 - 17:15 - 2022 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour