An updated entry list featuring 53 cars has been released by Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour organisers ahead of the March 25-27 event.

Thirteen different brands and more than 20 different vehicle models feature on the latest list, with BMW (12 entries), Mitsubishi (9), Holden Special Vehicles (7), Toyota (6) and Renault (5) the best represented.

All 53 listed have lodged fully paid entries, while more are expected to be added to the field once details are finalised, bringing the field to at least 55.

It is hoped that that the new event will help boost the national production car scene, which has struggled for numbers in recent years and has lost its CAMS championship status for 2016.

State-level production touring car racing is booming in New South Wales, as evidenced by strong Bathurst fields for the category at previous BMF events.

“We are very pleased with the reception to the inaugural Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour and the way production car competitors have again embraced their opportunity to headline a major endurance race at Mount Panorama,” BMF event director James O’Brien said.

“We have exceeded our target of 40 entrants, with a great cross-section of vehicles set to provide genuine class battles across the field.

“We’re confident that this race will be a boost for production car racing and will also deliver the Bathurst region a new ‘destination’ Event for the Easter long weekend.”

Entry list at 24 February