Bathurst 12 Hour 2026: Guide to Australia's Epic Endurance Race
The iconic Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, is set to host one of the most exhilarating events in Australian motorsport: the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour. As the de facto season opener for the year, this international endurance race draws drivers and machines from around the globe, promising a spectacle twice as demanding as the famed Bathurst 1000. With a stacked grid featuring Supercars champions like Chaz Mostert, Broc Feeney, Cam Waters, Will Brown, and Ryan Wood, the 2026 edition is poised to be the biggest yet. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the sport, here's everything you need to know about conquering the mountain.
What Makes the Bathurst 12 Hour Unique?
Established in its modern form in 2007, the Bathurst 12 Hour has evolved into a cornerstone of global GT racing. As the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge since 2016, it attracts a diverse field of GT3 cars – high-performance machines based on production road cars. Unlike the tightly regulated Supercars series, GT3 regulations allow for a broader range of homologated vehicles, all balanced by 'balance of performance' rules to ensure fair competition.
Expect to see familiar names like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Aston Martin, Audi, Lamborghini, Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, and Mercedes on the grid. These cars aren't just fast; they're blisteringly quick. The GT3 lap record at Mount Panorama stands at 2:00.882 seconds, set by Maro Engel in a Mercedes-AMG in 2023 – that's over two seconds quicker than the fastest Supercars lap. For context, Chaz Mostert's 2021 Supercars benchmark was 2:03.374, while Brodie Kostecki's Gen3 effort last year clocked 2:04.031. In a drag race from the start line, a GT3 car would leave a Supercar trailing by more than 150 meters by the time it hits that record pace.
Key Differences from the Bathurst 1000
While both races test endurance on the treacherous 6.213km Mount Panorama street circuit, the Bathurst 12 Hour stands apart from the Bathurst 1000 in several ways. The 1000 is a Supercars Championship staple, limited mostly to Australian V8 machinery under Gen3 rules. Wildcards occasionally spice things up, but it's a domestic affair.
In contrast, the 12 Hour is an international melting pot. GT3 cars boast advanced aids like ABS and traction control, plus superior aerodynamics, making them grippier through the infamous Esses and Conrod Straight. As Mostert notes, "The cars extract their speed completely differently at Bathurst compared to a Supercar. Wrestling really fast machinery across the top of the hill and down it is always really cool." Will Brown echoes this, highlighting the learning curve: "They’ve got ABS, traction control, and a lot more aero than our Supercars, so there’s a lot that goes into it."
Last year's podium – a BMW M4 twin-turbo leading a Mercedes V8 – shows how engine configs and setups can flip the script, adding unpredictability to the 12-hour grind.
The 2026 Field: Stars Align for Glory
This year's entry list is a who's who of motorsport. Chaz Mostert, fresh off Supercars success, teams up with international talent in a bid for victory. Broc Feeney, the 2025 Supercars Sprint Cup winner, brings his mountain mastery, while Cam Waters and Will Brown add firepower from the domestic scene. Rising star Ryan Wood rounds out the Aussie contingent, all hungry to tame the circuit's 'Mountain' nickname.
International heavyweights fill the rest, with factory efforts from McLaren (unveiling a sharp new 2026 livery aimed at a three-peat) and Porsche. The mix of two-wheel and four-wheel champions underscores the event's prestige – riders turned racers like those from MotoGP adding unique insights to the four-wheeled fray.
Teams field at least three drivers (up to four), with each limited to 150 minutes behind the wheel. This rotation demands strategy, pitting decisions, and resilience against the 12-hour duration – double the Bathurst 1000's challenge, where even minor issues multiply exponentially.
Race Format and Schedule
The weekend kicks off with six practice sessions across Friday and Saturday, honing setups on the undulating track. Qualifying splits into two parts on Saturday at 1:05pm AEDT, culminating in a top-10 shootout at 4:15pm for pole position.
The main event blasts off Sunday at the sprightly 5:45am AEDT – a dawn start that captures the mountain's mystique as the sun rises over the pits. As Feeney puts it, "Starting at 5:45 in the morning is pretty special." The race runs uninterrupted for 12 hours, covering roughly 2000km, with drivers rotating to manage fatigue and tire wear.
Endurance racing shifts the mindset, Brown explains: "It’s a different mentality. The field spreads out more than in Supercars, where you're always wheel-to-wheel. Here, strategy and survival take precedence." Weather, traffic, and mechanical gremlins can turn heroes into also-rans, making every lap a battle.
How to Watch the Bathurst 12 Hour 2026
Aussie fans can catch all the action live and ad-break free on Kayo Sports. New subscribers snag the first two months for just $5/month (offer ends February 20, 2026). Fox Sports provides comprehensive coverage of qualifying and the race, ensuring no corner of Mount Panorama is missed – from the high-speed plunge down The Dipper to the tight Skyline hairpin.
For global viewers, check SRO's streaming platforms or local broadcasters tied to the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
Conquering the Mountain: Challenges Ahead
Mount Panorama doesn't yield easily. Its 174 turns, elevation changes, and walls demand precision, especially in GT3's raw power. Driver rotations test team cohesion, while the early start adds sleep deprivation to the mix. Yet, as Mostert says, the rewards are immense: a win here cements legends.
With such a potent field, 2026 could see an Aussie triumph or an international upset. One thing's certain – the Bathurst 12 Hour remains motorsport's ultimate test of speed, stamina, and strategy Down Under.
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