Bathurst 12H Qualifying Format, Pro-Am Lineup Rules Tweaked

Bathurst 12 Hour organizer Supercars has laid out a number of tweaks to the sporting regulations for the Australian enduro ahead of the 2025 edition in what its event director has described as “minor evolutions.”

Notable changes include an revised qualifying format, new driver lineup requirements and changes to drive time rules.

The event is set to again serve as the season opener to the Intercontinental GT Challenge and was won this year by Manthey EMA.

As part of the changed regulations, a revised qualifying format will see the ten-car shootout for the Allan Simonsen Pole Award determined by both Qualifying 1 and Qualifying 2.

In turn, the first qualifying session will be comprised of the bottom 50 percent of cars from the sixth practice session, while the second qualifying session features the top 50 percent.

“It’s always a lengthy and intricate process refining the regulations year on year,” said event director Shane Rudzis.

“The 2025 regulations reflect more minor evolutions rather than wholesale change, with the regulations broadly very similar to what produced such an exciting race in 2024.

“We have worked closely with our partners at SRO to further ensure the race reflects the key international events and GT3 championships to ensure familiarity for teams racing both here and abroad, while continuing to embrace the unique factors that make the Bathurst 12 Hour very much its own thing.

“Elements like no minimum drive time applying to Bronze drivers when they’re part of a Pro entry have become a key factor in the race and allowed the likes of Kenny Habul an opportunity to win outright where otherwise they might not get the chance.

“At the same time the option to go to two formation laps is designed to improve the show, preserve the thrill of the two-by-two rolling start and remove some of the challenges at the race start and in the opening laps, regardless of conditions or weather at the time.

“Reverting back to an all-in, 10-car battle for pole will make for an exciting conclusion to Saturday with the 10 fastest cars all on track at the same time fighting to win the Allan Simonsen Pole award.

“Entries will open very soon and we’re excited to start welcoming teams from around the world and Australia to join us on the Mountain for another incredible race next February.”

Newly Formed Ferrari Challenge Australasia Added to Support Package

Series organizers also announced a new addition to the event’s support package in the form of the new-for-2025 Ferrari Challenge Australasia.

The series, which open to both 296 Challenge and 488 Challenge Evo machinery, will kick off a five-round schedule as as part of the Bathurst program, running on Friday and Saturday.

Further races are set to take place at Phillip Island, Sydney Motorsport Park and The Bend Motorsport Park.