Next year’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour (February 3-5) will see the return of the all-professional GT3 class.
It marks the first time since 2020 that all-Pro line-ups have been allowed, after this year’s event reverted to Pro-Am being the top class.
That was due to a lack of international entries with the lingering effects of travel restrictions.
Earlier this week, Mercedes boss Stefan Wendl made comments seeking clarity over the possible continuation of the Pro-Am format.
That has now been put to bed, with event organisers locking in the class structure for the 2023 edition of Australia’s international enduro, which has attracted strong interest from manufacturers and teams.
Class A, for GT3 cars, will be split into Pro and Pro-Am (at least one Bronze-ranked driver), while the Silver Cup class will be introduced, which requires all drivers to be categorised as Silver or Bronze.
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Porsche GT3 Cup Cars will once again be permitted in Class B, while Class C will feature GT4 machinery, and the Invitational Class will return, allowing SRO GT2 machinery.
The following regulations have also been confirmed for the event:
Class B and Invitational class entries must include at least one Bronze-ranked driver within their respective driving squads in 2023.
Also returning in 2023 will be the split Top-10 qualifying Shootout for pole position on Saturday afternoon.
Following regular qualifying, the 10 fastest cars will progress to the Shootout which will be comprised of two, 15-minute sessions for the Lower 50% of the Top 10, followed by the top 50% of cars.
The system was introduced in 2022 due to adverse weather conditions, however proved to offer a dramatic, competitive and entertaining battle for the coveted Allan Simonsen Pole Award.
This encouraged a decision to adopt it as the 12-Hour’s unique Shootout format moving forward.
The importance of Pro-Am competition within the race has also been further enhanced, with elements introduced in 2022 to remain: including separate Am-only practice sessions and the Am driver continuing to play a significant role in the qualifying position of all Pro-Am entries.
Stricter regulations will also be applied regarding the driving standards around Professional driver conduct in the race.
This includes significantly tougher penalties – including lengthy stop and go penalties that could see cars dropped off the lead lap – applied to Pro drivers that contact Am competitors at any point throughout the event.
These penalties have been included in the revised Sporting and Technical regulations for the 2023 race.
The ‘Lucky Dog’ wave around rule for cars one lap down will also be carried over from 2022.
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