Bathurst 12 Hour releases 2019 entry list

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour has released its entry list featuring 10 GT3 marques for the Mount Panorama GT classic.

Organisers have confirmed a 43-car grid including a 28-car GT3 entry, featuring cars from Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan and Porsche.

As reported earlier today, Asian squad KCMG will field two Nissan GT-Rs, which sees the model return to Bathurst for first time since 2017.

Mercedes-AMG is the most numerous marque in the GT3 contingent with six AMG GT3s confirmed including the Triple Eight entry of Jamie Whincup, Shane van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes.

Top Mercedes GT squad Black Falcon returns as it partners Craft-Bamboo Racing and Nineteen Corp entries this year.

Craft-Bamboo recently announced their new partnership with AMG which will commence at the 12 Hour.

The debut of the highly accomplished GruppeM Racing is another highlight for the German brand along with the SunEnergy1 Racing team led by Australian Kenny Habul.

It has also been confirmed that leading BMW squad Team Schnitzer, which is expected to field Chaz Mostert alongside the already named Martin Tomczyk and Augusto Farfus, will return.

Meanwhile, the two factory Porsche entries will be run by Earl Bamber Motorsport and factory Audis run by Melbourne Performance Centre.

The grid will feature two Ferraris with the HubAuto Corsa entry joined by the FIA World Endurance Championship squad Spirit of Race.

Also confirmed is the Lamborghini Huracan of Melbourne-based Trofeo Motorsport which is set to feature Dean Canto in the line-up.

Class B features a four-car Porsche fight, while three Ginetta Australia G55 entries will make Class C (GT4) a close fight with three rivals from KTM and the always-fast BMW.

MARC Cars Australia will field four cars in the Invitational Class, two of the Generation II cars and two of the original versions of their Aussie-designed and developed enduro racer.

“We’re thrilled with the quality of the field and the depth of brands, teams and drivers to be involved,” said Kurt Sakzewski, Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director.

“We will welcome back several familiar names but also several new teams who will be making their Bathurst debut.

“It is truly a world-class grid and the competition is going to be brilliant between some of the best brands and teams in not just GT3 racing, but in motorsport full stop.

“The growth of the Intercontinental GT Challenge and the enduring appeal of Mount Panorama is reflected in the sizable manufacturer presence, but the addition of so many strong privately entered teams shows that anyone can have a shot at winning this race.

“The size of the grid is just about spot-on for this race and we’re very comfortable with that.

“The competition will be strong in each class but there will be a bit more space between cars which will hopefully make for a cleaner race, both for those in it and those watching trackside or on TV.”

A final entry list including drivers will be released in the new year.

Entry list: 2019 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit