12H Bathurst Date Moved to Avoid Sebring Clash

Photo: Kevin Pecks/SRO

The date of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has been brought forward by three weeks to avoid a clash with the FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races at Sebring.

Announced on Thursday by Supercars, the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli will now take place on Feb. 25-27, eliminating date conflicts from any major sports car racing championship.

It was initially due to clash with the so-called ‘Super Sebring’ event that had caused concern among GT3 manufacturers represented in both IGTC and IMSA/WEC competition. 

While now set to take place earlier in the year, Sportscar365 understands it comes amid a further easing of the international borders, particularly in New South Wales, which should grant international access to competitors.

Supercars, is “confident” that Australia’s travel measures will be relaxed sufficiently for the event to go ahead with an international entry in late February.

“Maintaining the event’s traditional early February date wasn’t an option but after consulting with teams, manufacturers and Supercars it also became apparent that an alternative weekend that month would be preferable to March when the Australian, European and American seasons begin ramping up,” said SRO Motorsports Group founder and CEO Stephane Ratel.

“I think we’ve found a good balance between the two, which also allows us to keep an important element of what makes Bathurst special.”

Shane Howard, Supercars Chief Operating Officer added: “The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has become a favorite event of the motorsport landscape both in Australia and around the world.

“Being held on Australia’s spiritual motorsport home, Mount Panorama, the race has become one of the most popular on the GT racing calendar and is held in such high esteem by some of the best teams and brands globally.

“The team behind the event will work to offer a memorable experience for those attending trackside and we are very excited to have now locked in a date to bring the event back next February.”

The date of next year’s season-ending Kyalami 9 Hour, meanwhile, has been pushed back by one week to avoid a “minor calendar clash.”

2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli Schedule:
Feb. 25-27 – Bathurst 12 Hour
July 29-31 – TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa
Oct. 8-9 – Indianapolis 8 Hour
Dec. 1-3 – Kyalami 9 Hour

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John