The Australian GT Championship will feature a new class structure in 2012.

Following a move from three to two classes for 2011, this season will see both of the existing classes effectively split in two.

The new system sees the superseded GT3 vehicles (which will compete in GT Trophy) separated from the newer models, which will compete in the GT Championship class.

Several new cars are expected to debut in the championship this year, including a second Mercedes AMG SLS GT3 for Erebus Racing (to be driven by James Brock), a Ford GT GT3 for Kevin Weeks, and Ferrari 458 GT3s for both Maranello Motorsport and Tony Quinn.

Meanwhile, changes to the GT Trophy class eligibility will see the GT4 specification cars, previously made to compete against the likes of the Porsche 997 GT3 Cup and Ferrari 360 Challenge cars, set to enjoy their own class (GT Sports).

According to category administrator Craig Nayda, the changes to the classes have been made to ensure the continued participation of the current vehicles.

“A number of these cars are already in Australia, so it was important we created a class where they can all still be competitive,” said Nayda.

“Interest has been strong across all classes so we are pretty excited about how the 2012 season is shaping up.”

In other GT Championship news, Melbourne based engineer Mark Trounson has been appointed the technical Manager for the 2012 Championship, which kicks off at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide on March 1-4.

CLICK HERE for the full 2012 Australian GT Championship calendar

See below for the draft 2012 Vehicle Eligibility List

GT Championship
Aston Martin DBRS9
Audi R8 LMS
BMW Z4 GT3
Chevrolet Corvette Z06R GT3
Dodge Viper Competion Coupe Series 2
Ferrari 458 Italia
Ford GT40 GT3
Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 – LP 600
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3
Mosler MT900 GT3
Nissan GTR GT3
Porsche 911 GT3 R

GT Trophy
Ascari KZ1 GT3
Dodge Viper Competion Coupe Series 1
Ferrari F430 GT3
Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 – LP 520
Lotus Exige GT3
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup S

GT Challenge
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3
Dodge Viper ACR
Ferrari 360 Challenge
Ferrari 360 GT
Ferrari 430 Challenge
Lotus Exige S
Porsche 996 GT3 Cup Car
Porsche 996 GT3 R
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car

GT Sports
Aston Martin Vantage GT4
Aston Martin Vantage N24
BMW M3 GT4
BMW Z4
Chevrolet Camaro GT4
Chevrolet Corvette C6
Ford Mustang FR500 GT4
Ginetta G50
Lotus Evora GT4
Maserati Trofeo
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GTR R35
Porsche 997 GT4
Porsche Cayman