Mustang, Corvettes Confirmed in 36-Car Bathurst 12H Entry

Photo: MPS Agency

The Ford Mustang GT3 and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R will face off in their respective debuts at Mount Panorama, as part of a 36-car entry list and 12 brands represented for February’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

Released on Friday, the provisional entry list for the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge will feature the highly anticipated Australian debuts of both U.S.-built GT3 cars, with HRT Ford Racing fielding a single Mustang GT3 and Johor Motorsports Racing JMR entering a pair of Corvettes.

It is part of the largest entry for Australia’s international enduro since the 2020 edition when there were 39 car entered.

Driver lineups and categories for the GT3-spec cars have yet to be confirmed by event organizers.

In addition to HRT and JMR, defending winners Team WRT have locked in a two-car BMW M4 GT3 EVO entry, along with the recently announced Porsche 911 GT3 R efforts from Earl Bamber Motorsport and Absolute Racing.

Kenny Habul’s 75 Express outfit leads the Mercedes-AMG contingent, having won the race outright in 2022 and 2023 and haven’t finished off the podium in the last four years.

U.S.-based Heart of Racing by SPS and GruppeM Racing are also set for Bathurst returns as part of a record 11-strong fleet from the German manufacturer.

It includes two Craft-Bamboo Racing cars, three Tigani Motorsport-run Mercedes-AMGs as well as Grove Racing’s entry that has already been announced.

The Mercedes-AMG contingent is rounded out by cars from RAM Motorsport/GWR Australia and Scott Taylor Motorsport.

Additional Porsches will be fielded by High Class Racing, Herberth Motorsport and the previously announced effort from Tsunami RT, while Chinese squad Team KRC will field a BMW.

Audi will continue to have a strong presence at Mount Panorama, with four R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs currently entered, all run by Melbourne Performance Centre.

There will be two Ferrari 296 GT3s on the grid, both fielded by Arise Racing GT, while Lamborghini is also represented with a Huracan GT3 EVO2 with stalwarts Wall Racing.

Optimum Motorsport will make its Bathurst debut with a 720S GT3 Evo, alongside an entry from Volanto Rosso Motorsport. The team has also entered a Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

The 32 provisional GT3 entries is the second-highest in event history.

Method Motorsport will defend its class win from this year with a McLaren Artura GT4, which will do battle with a Team NZ-entered Aston Martin Vantage GT4.

IRC has entered a KTM X-Bow GT2 in the Invitational class, along with a IRC GT for 111 Racing.

Additional teams are expected to confirm efforts prior to the Jan. 5 entry deadline.

In all the entry list represents teams from 12 nations, and the most brands entered in the race since 2019.

“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 event 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 [12] 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.

“There’s more to come, but we wanted to share this incredible field early to give fans something to look forward to over Christmas and New Year.”

Provisional Entry List (As of Dec. 19):

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