Pro Class Confirmed for 2023 Bathurst 12H

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will return to featuring all-pro driver lineups next year for the first time since 2020, after reverting to a Pro-Am format this year due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global freight challenges.

Strong support from Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli organizers, SRO Motorsports Group, coupled with strong interest from key brands and teams looking to return to the Mountain, confirmed to organizers that the time was right to return to the format that made Australia’s international enduro one of the world’s top long-distance races.

The class structure will see Class A split into Pro, Pro-Am (for combinations including at least one Bronze-rated driver) and Silver Cup (where all drivers must be categorized Silver or Bronze).

Class B will again be for Porsche GT3 Cup Cars, including the latest Type-992 GT3, while Class C will feature GT4 machinery. The invitational class will also return to cater for vehicles including SRO GT2 machinery.

Class B and Invitational class entries must include at least one Bronze-rated driver within their respective driving squads in 2023.

Also returning in 2023 will be the split Top-10 qualifying shootout for pole position on Saturday afternoon.

Following regular qualifying, the ten fastest cars will progress to the shootout which will be comprised of two, 15-minute sessions for the Lower 50 percent of the top 10, followed by the top 50 percent of cars.

The system was introduced in 2022 due to adverse weather conditions, however proved to offer a dramatic, competitive and entertaining battle for the coveted Allan Simonsen Pole Award.

This encouraged a decision to adopt it as the 12-Hour’s unique Shootout format moving forward.

The importance of Pro-Am competition within the race has also been further enhanced, with elements introduced in 2022 to remain: including separate Am-only practice sessions and the Am driver continuing to play a significant role in the qualifying position of all Pro-Am entries.

Stricter regulations will also be applied regarding the driving standards around professional driver conduct in the race.

This includes significantly tougher penalties – including lengthy stop-and-go penalties that could see cars dropped off the lead lap – applied to pro drivers that contact Am competitors at any point throughout the event.

These penalties have been included in the revised sporting and technical regulations for the 2023 race.

The ‘Lucky Dog’ wave around rule for cars one lap down will also be carried over from this year’s running.

“We’re 100 percent committed to make the 2023 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour an incredible show,” said event director Shane Rudzis.

“We have worked closely with our partners to develop the formats for 2023 and their commitment, along with communication from manufacturers who want to be back on the Mountain, were enough to convince us that the time was right to return to the all-Pro format for the outright fight.

“At the same time, we have developed a new set of regulations around the driver standards to ensure that the Pro-Am teams and Am drivers are looked after as best as possible, along with many of the Am-centric regulations around driver time and stint length from 2022 remaining in place.

“The decision at the last minute to change qualifying formats in 2022 has proved to be a blessing in disguise in giving the 12-Hour its own unique Shootout format, while still maintaining the uniqueness of needing that one perfect lap to get pole on the Mountain.”

SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel added: “I’m delighted to see the Pro class returning to IGTC’s season opener in Australia next year.

“It’s 100 percent the right decision for Bathurst. The event owes its success and standing as one of the world’s must-win GT races to manufacturer participation, which has become a key 12 Hour component over the past decade.

“That factory involvement invariably means the sport’s best teams and drivers get to test themselves at Mount Panorama.

“It’s the combination of those elements that makes for such an incredible spectacle. One of motorsport’s toughest challenges deserves to welcome the very best drivers and that’s exactly who we’ll have with us this coming February.”