2026 Bathurst 12 Hour Preview: Record Entries Set for Thrilling Showdown
The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour, Australia’s premier endurance race, is set to return with a record 35-car entry, the largest since 2020. Featuring 115 drivers from 22 nationalities across various classes, this event promises intense competition among the world’s top GT3 teams.
Pro Class Competition
The Pro category leads the charge with 15 entries, including the reigning champion, BMW Team WRT, which clinched its first Bathurst victory in the GT3 era last year. This year, the team fields two BMW M4 GT3 EVO vehicles, featuring a star-studded lineup. Augusto Farfus returns alongside seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi and Raffaele Marciello in the #46 car. The #32 entry retains Kelvin Van Der Linde and includes 2020 winner Jordan Pepper.
Farfus lauds the team’s performance, calling last year’s win a “perfect race,” and emphasized the competitive landscape with eight manufacturers represented in the Pro class.
Mercedes-AMG Dominance
Mercedes-AMG is strongly represented with six cars, including two-time winners 75 Express Racing. The team, featuring Kenny Habul, Luka Stolz, and Jules Gounon, has secured four successive podiums and aims to build on its recent success. Notably, Habul’s early stints are crucial for the team’s strategy, allowing faster drivers to leverage their speed at the end.
Other notable teams include Tigani Motorsport, backed by Australian talent Jayden Ojeda, and Craft Bamboo Racing, which fields a driver lineup including Maximillian Gotz and Lucas Auer.
Porsche and Ferrari Contenders
Porsche enters with two 911 GT3 R entrants, including the #911 from Absolute Racing, driven by two-time Bathurst champion Matt Campbell. The team seeks to improve upon their sixth-place finish last year. Earl Bamber Racing also returns, featuring drivers Klaus Bachler, Laurin Heinrich, and Ricardo Feller.
Ferrari fields the #26 Ferrari 296 GT3 with Davide Rigon, Daniel Serra, and Jaxon Evans—a combination aimed at capturing the elusive overall victory after narrowly missing out last year.
New Entrants and Manufacturer Rivalry
Chevrolet and Ford debut in the Pro class this year. Johor Motorsports Racing brings the Corvette C8 Z06 GT3.R, driven by Alex Sims, Nicky Catsburg, and Earl Bamber, while HRT Ford Racing fields the Mustang GT3 with former champions Christopher Mies and Dennis Olsen alongside Broc Feeney.
Audi rounds out the Pro class with Jamec Racing/Team MPC in the #183 Audi R8 LMS Evo II, featuring GTWC Australia champion Brad Schumacher and experienced drivers Will Brown and Christopher Haase.
The 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour promises to deliver one of the most competitive fields in the event’s history, with teams poised for a grueling battle on Mount Panorama. As the largest Pro-Class field in years, strategies will be critical in avoiding trouble and seizing victory.
