+ Initial 36-strong entry could yet increase before IGTC’s 2026 season opener
+ Provisional entry list
36 cars – the greatest number to race there this decade – are already confirmed for the 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, and more could yet materialise before the entry process officially closes in early January.
Several headliners jump out from the provisional list, and not least WRT which returns to defend the one-two finish it achieved at the start of this year. That result also set BMW on course for a crushing Intercontinental GT Challenge campaign that culminated in it winning both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ titles at Indianapolis.
But the bumper list of 32 GT3 entries also features several surprises. Most notable is Ford which is set to make its senior class debut at Australia’s International Enduro on February 13-15 thanks to its European factory squad, HRT.
The Blue Oval and GM via Chevrolet, which will begin a new GT chapter in their storied shared history Down Under, are just two of the 12 manufacturers represented across the GT3, GT4 and Invitational classes.
Driver line-ups for the majority of entries, and especially those expected to feature in the Pro category, will remain under wraps for a little longer, while the list of Intercontinental’s registered manufacturers won’t be announced until nearer the event.
However, there is still plenty more to get excited about.
Mercedes-AMG’s thundering GT3 won this race against the odds in 2022 and ’23, and will be amongst the favourites again thanks to the 11 that have been entered – a record number for a single GT3 manufacturer and model.
Porsche is also well represented with five 911s, while MPC leads something of an Audi resurgence with its four R8s.
McLaren returns to the Mountain in GT3 guise for the first time since 2020, Chevrolet has two Corvettes at its disposal courtesy of JMR, and Arise again leads the line for Ferrari after demonstrating race-winning pace in February.
Sole Aston Martin and Lamborghini entries complete an a stacked GT3 roster that already ranks as the second biggest in 12 Hour history. Organisers have not ruled out further teams confirming their participation before the deadline.
“To release an entry list before Christmas, even before entries officially close, speaks volumes about how far this event has grown and rebounded in recent years,” said the event’s director, Shane Rudzis.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour has always been fiercely competitive, whether the grid was 20 cars or 40 and remains one of the hardest endurance races in the world to win. But 2026 is shaping up to deliver one of our most competitive and diverse fields yet.
“Our slogan is ‘Where the World Comes to Race,’ and the 2026 edition couldn’t embody that more. With teams from 11 countries already confirmed, a broad mix of brands, and the debut of new teams and manufacturers, this year promises something truly special.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ford Racing to the Mountain. It’s been talked about for a long time, and seeing Haupt Racing Team bring their entry to life is a huge moment for all of us. Few rivalries are more iconic than the General versus the Blue Oval at Bathurst - and now fans get to experience that in February as well as October.
“We’re also excited to welcome back Team WRT. After finishing 1-2 this year, they could have easily said ‘job done’ and focused on their other programs. Instead, the lure of Bathurst has drawn them back to defend their victory – a feat achieved only twice before in 12 Hour history.”