Classic and iconic GT machinery will join the show at the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour

Stalwart Bathurst 12 Hour support category, Combined Sedans, has reached agreement with key parties to allow the inclusion of early-generation GT machinery to their grid next year. 

The announcement comes following extensive consultation with key stakeholders including NSW Sports Sedans, Motorsport Australia and event promoter, Supercars.

The expansion means as well as seeing the usual array of Sports Sedans, Improved Production and Production Touring Cars, fans of the category will now see the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi and Mercedes challenging the regulars head-to-head for an outright victory. 

The category has also confirmed the return of Duggan Family Hotels as the naming rights sponsor for the fourth straight year. 

The expanded grid eligibility will be for selected cars currently log booked by Motorsport Australia 2B & 2F, together with those GT3 cars whose homologation has expired and are no longer eligible to race within the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia regulations.

Current-spec Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Monochrome GT4 Australia cars will not be eligible to enter.

The first GT3 car to be confirmed is the Lamborghini Gallardo driven by longstanding competitor Richard Gartner, who will return to Bathurst for the first time since 2020. 

“We haven’t raced on the Mountain since 2020 and the expansion of this Category to allow us to do what seemed unlikely to ever happen again is amazing.” Gartner said.

Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director Shane Rudzis said the addition of key GT vehicles to the Combined Sedans grid would elevate what is already one of the most popular elements of the 12-hour weekend. 

“We’ve worked with Steven & Bronwyn Lacey of Ripplestrip Motorsport, who manage the category on behalf of NSW Sports Sedans, with the aim being to add an element of history and legacy from past Bathurst 12 Hour races,” he said. 

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for those who own an important part of our GT history to stretch the legs of their exotic machines on arguably the best track in the world. We expect the uptake to be huge.

“After visiting the Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa earlier this year, I had the opportunity to witness for the first time at the event the support category of ‘Racing Legends’ which included GT and GT3 cars from the past few decades. 

“This concept for the Bathurst 12 Hour is very much aligned to the Spa24 Hour experience, there are currently many GT and GT3 cars in workshops and garages around Australia which have the opportunity to race as an undercard to one of the world’s biggest GT events.”

Promoters Steven and Bronwyn Lacey said they were excited to see the continued evolution of the Combined Sedans concept. 

“The field is expected to be well supported by those currently running in Production Sport categories across the country, with interest already being registered by various competitors and State managers”, said Steven. 

“The expansion of the grid won’t take away from our past sedan classes, which will all remain as per usual. There’ll be Series 1 BMWs right through to Spaceframe Sports Sedans. At this time of year, we typically have a full grid locked and loaded, so the late start will mean a busy time ahead”, said Bronwyn.

Mark & Elisha Duggan from Duggan Family Hotels have confirmed their support for the Category for a fourth year in a row.

“We will be there with our VB Aston Martin DBR9 Sports Sedan and are so excited to be part of the expanded grid. The event is always a fun time away for us and now with the added element of the GT cars, we can’t wait,” said Ellie. 

As in past years, all three races will be live streamed, with the finale' broadcast on Chanel 7, Foxtel and Kayo, giving competitors and their sponsors massive exposure to Australia and an International audience.

Expressions of Interest will open shortly with spots expected to go fast.