+ Record number of GT3 cars entered following early bird entries closing
+ 10 brands represented with six weeks still to go prior to cut off date
The 2027 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour looks set to feature the largest and almost certainly the most competitive grid of GT3 machinery ever assembled in Australia.
Confirmation that a stunning Bathurst field is building comes following the closure of early bird entries for the February 12-14 event, which also stages the Intercontinental GT Challenge season opener.
While entries remain open for competitors through mid-December, the number of cars already confirmed has eclipsed the previous benchmark achieved for GT3 machinery at Mount Panorama.
That high point, achieved in both 2017 and 2020, stood at 33 cars while 32 GT3 cars competed last year out of a total starting field of 34 cars.
10 different manufacturers are currently confirmed; at least eight with more than one representative. As well as a host of domestic entries, teams will travel to New South Wales from Asia, Europe and North America.
Several first-time entries have been lodged alongside teams with a longstanding presence at Mount Panorama.
The full field will be announced in late December following entries officially closing.
The efforts showcase the ongoing partnership between the event and SRO, the global force behind GT racing and the Intercontinental GT Challenge, to position the event as a ‘must do’ for teams from around the world.
“It is an extremely exciting group of teams and cars to have entered so far. To have eclipsed our previous benchmark for GT3 cars already is incredibly pleasing for the team behind the event who continue to work hard and aim to improve every year, and highlights our ongoing relationship with SRO,” said Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director, Shane Rudzis.
“The interest from local and international teams to conquer the Mountain is high and the fact several new teams are coming in 2027 is proof; as is the return of some competitors we’ve not seen since before 2020 along with those who are regular contenders.
“We continue to evolve and grow and the addition of more track time this year, in the form of Thursday testing, showcases that.
“Moving on from the Pandemic, plus the global shipping and freight issues that followed, we have been consistent in our confidence that we would rebuild the event to a position where it was better than what many accept as ‘the peak’ in 2019 and 2020.
“This year was a huge step: 2027 is when we look beyond that.”
The 2027 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour doubles as the kick-off for the 2027 Intercontinental GT Challenge, the globe-trotting GT3 championship that includes major events including the 24 Hours of Spa, ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring, Suzuka 1000km and new Texas 8 Hour in the United States.
2027’s event – the 24th 12 Hour at Bathurst and the 16th to include GT machinery - is shaping up to be the best yet with campground sites selling out in record time.
Expressions of interest remain open for those still looking to camp at the event next February as event organisers assess the possibility of opening new campgrounds, with links available from the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour website.
General admission tickets and corporate / VIP access remain on sale via the 12 Hour website.