Bathurst 12 Hour included in new SRO GT series

The Bathurst 12 Hour has been included in plans for a new ‘Intercontinental GT Challenge Series’ for 2016 organised by the SRO Motorsports Group.

SRO boss Stephane Ratel has revealed plans to form a new GT3 series which incorporates the Spa 24 Hours, the Bathurst and Sepang 12 Hour events and a three hour race held on the Pirelli World Challenge bill at the Circuit of the Americas.

Announced ahead of this weekend’s final Blancpain Endurance Series round at the Nurburgring, the series, which is yet to be named officially, is aimed at GT manufacturers who would nominate teams in the region as representatives at the events.

It was also confirmed that the races would be run utilising SRO’s Balance of Performance regulations.

“We are very excited about the possibility of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour being a part of the Intercontinental Challenge,” said Bathurst 12 Hour director John Casey.

“The details will need to be worked out, but we are confident that this can be done.”

The series is understood to be a separate project to Ratel’s Asia Pacific GT endurance series concept.

The Blancpain GT Series boss confirmed earlier this year that he is keen to form an Asia Pacific GT series combining the Sepang 12 Hour, Bathurst 12 Hour and two more events in the region.

SRO is expected to release further details on the Intercontinental GT Challenge Series next month.