The crews will need at least a bronze FIA racer in their squad for this year’s round-the-clock enduro on May 13-15.
Supercars and SRO have made changes due to ongoing problems with both freight and borders that have kept some foreign competitors from traveling down.
However, this event will still remain the first round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge 2022.
“Without situations beyond our control, I have decided that Bathurst will return to the Intercontinental GT Challenge based on the Pirelli calendar in 2022, and this new class structure ensures that it can do just that without reducing the championship or event.” said SRO head Stefan Rotel. .
“Factory teams and drivers usually get in the headlines, but the fact is that fans and the Pro-Am class are the backbone of the world’s GT races.
“There are also few, if any, international-level Bathurst races, where Pro-Am crews are the stars of the show. But it won’t be in May when some of the world’s best fans get a chance to win one of the big endurance competitions in motorsport.
“It’s like a real return to the previous 12 hours and the GT racing is generally old.”
Then the changes, which will bring back attention to local crews, were welcomed by GT World Challenge Australia category manager Ken Collier.
“The world makes sense that Australia’s largest GT race is part of the GT World Challenge Australia Endurance Championship, and we were excited to work with our partners in the SRO and the Bathurst 12 Hour team to make it happen this year,” he said.
“It works for our competitors who will enjoy a landmark event on the calendar and one of the most iconic GT races in the world, and it works for Bathurst 12 Hour to work with the GT World Challenge Australia to support and develop the sport here .
“We share a mutual partner in SRO who shares the passion for the growth of GT3 races in this part of the world that we are all doing and it is a step that will support this – not only this year but also forward.
“We look forward to another Bathurst classic in May this year, which will also be an exciting start to the GT 2022 GT World Challenge Australia.”
Triple Eight is the first favorite of the 12-hour tournament, which ended in Fr. formidable lineup of his two-star Supercar Shane van Gisbergen and Brock Feeney and regular GT driver Prince Jeffrey Ibrahim for his Mercedes.
In addition to the class change, Supercars and SRO have also confirmed that the race will return to the traditional start of February next year.
The date of the event in 2023 is February 3-5.
“I am also pleased that the race is back to the traditional start date of February in 2023,” Rattel added.
“Our only other option this year would be to cancel the event, which neither SRO nor Supercars wanted to do.
“Also, holding it in May is incompatible with European programs.
“We have found a sensible solution for this year, but we also look forward to Bathurst fully justifying its Australian international enduro status next season.”
2022 Bathurst 12-hour class structure
- Class A: GT3 Pro-Am
If 3 drivers, 2x platinum, gold or silver and 1x bronze. - Class A: GT3 Am
Maximum 1 silver driver, the rest of the riders – bronze - Class B GT3 Trophy Pro-Am
Maximum 1 silver driver, the rest of the riders – bronze - Class B – GT3 Trophy AM All Bronze
- Class C: Porsche GT3 Cup
- Class D: GT4
- Class I: Invitation class cars, GTC cars from single brand categories including Ferrari Challenge, Lamborghini Supercup and Audi R8 Cup.