Organisers for the Bathurst 12 Hour have released an updated entry list for the 2013 race (8–10 February). A field of 54 cars is currently expected to line up on the grid, 18 of them to be chasing outright honours in the GT3 class.
It’s a great sign for the event, which also has a new naming rights sponsor. Event Director, James O’Brien is rapt with the increased interest, especially from overseas-based teams. “As it always does, the entry list will likely change in its makeup in coming weeks as teams finalise their plans, but to have a 50-plus car field locked in vindicates the change to a GT3 format alongside production cars,†O’Brien said.
“We are particularly pleased at the level of international interest with 20 cars coming from overseas.
“The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour is fast becoming a ‘must win’ race on the international GT3 calendar and the 2013 edition should provide an entertaining spectacle and enhance the Event’s reputation further.â€
Follow the source link below to view the full entry list.
[Source: Bathurst 12 hour]
2013 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour entry list fast facts:
- 54 entrants, featuring vehicles from 20 manufacturers.
- 20 international entries have been received from 10 countries; Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, Germany, Hong
- Kong, United States of America, Belgium, Switzerland and France.
- 32 cars make up the three ‘GT’ classes, GT3 Outright, GT3 and GT4. 18 cars are in the outright class—a record.
- Six of the defending, Bathurst 12 Hour-winning Audi R8 LMSs are entered.
- 10 Porsches, two Mercedes Benz SLS AMGs, two Lamborghini Gallardo’s and two Ferrari 458’s are also entered.
- The Ford GT, BMW Z4M and Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3 will make their respective race debuts.
- Two factory-supported Peugeot RCZs will race for the first time (the cars are entered in the I1 invitational class).
- Making the most of the extended Invitational classes, a Daytona Coupe will compete for the first time.
5 replies on “54 cars on track for 2013 Bathurst 12H”
“Liqui-moly bathurst 12hr” doesn’t really roll of the tongue so well!
I wonder if all of Nathan Tinkler’s creditors will be happy to see the Tinkler motorsport car running.
Great to see this event going strong. Any more info on the Peugeot RCZ’s? It’s good to see a manufacturer spending some $ on this as opposed to five minutes of TV ads.
Tony, here’s the Peugeot Australia presser concerning the RCZs…
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Peugeot Returns to the Mountain for the Bathurst 12-Hour
Team Peugeot RCZ has confirmed it will enter two RCZs in the upcoming Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 hour race in February, 2013.
Peugeot is no stranger to the mountain having raced there in the 1992 along with other large factory teams.
The weekend of February 8-10, 2013 will be the home of Australia’s international endurance race and Peugeot Sport will be the only factory-based team taking part on the mountain.
The lead car will be driven by three French drivers Stephane Caillet, Bruce Jouanny, Julien Rueflin.
The second car will be piloted by a team of local drivers with confirmation on names to be revealed shortly.
“Peugeot has a long history of involvement in motorsport and we are keen to rebuild that DNA in the brand,’’ said Peugeot Automobiles Australia General Manager Bill Gillespie.
“An event like the Bathurst 12-hour is a great toe in the water in Australia as it shows off the racing capability of the RCZ but also reinforces the reliability of the cars as well.’’
The two cars will be powered by the RCZ’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 190kW @ 6500rpm, 290Nm @ 3500-5500rpm.
The suspension has been modified, an additional fuel tank allows 100 litres of fuel to be carried and a modification has been made to the aerodynamics of the vehicle.
This choice of technology allows among other things an overall weight reduction of 120kg and so a more even weight distribution.
This new RCZ has been developed over the past two years for circuit racing and more particularly sprint racing such as the RCZ Racing Cup which started in September this year.
The RCZs will compete in the new Invitational Class (I1) for cars up to 1600cc.
The opening round of the 2013 Australian GT Championship will also be incorporated into the Bathurst 12 Hour.
Australian GT will conduct a one-hour race within the Bathurst 12 Hour race itself, commencing at the beginning of the enduro and ending at the end of the first hour.
Cars entered for only the Australian GT round will then return to pit lane whilst 12 Hour competitors continue on for a further 11 hours of racing.
Australian GT one-hour competitors will compete in two of the three 12 Hour practice sessions and one of the two nominated qualifying sessions on Saturday.
The 2013 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be held on February 8-10, 2013.
Hmm, not liking the idea of lumping the one hour race in as the first hour of the endurance race. A high-quality team coming from overseas would be pretty pissed off if they got taken out by an amateur hooning around for a one hour sprint. Why not give the Australian GT guys a separate race on the Saturday?
Yeah, with you there on the one hour GT race. Could be a major balls up in the making.