McLaren make their GT3 return to Mount Panorama with Optimum Motorsport

While the 2026 event marks Optimum's first-time racing at Mount Panorama, all three drivers bring valuable Bathurst experience and a strong record of international GT success.

For Garnet Patterson, the event marks a homecoming of sorts. The Australian driver has been competing professionally in GT3 and LMP racing since 2016, building an international career across IMSA, Asian Le Mans, European Le Mans and GT World Challenge.

After extensive mileage in McLaren GT machinery throughout 2025, Patterson arrives with both car familiarity and Bathurst experience. His most recent success came at the European Le Mans Series finale in Portimão, where he finished second in LMGT3 after four hours of racing.

“To race for McLaren and Optimum in a Pro line-up at one of the best GT races in the world, in my home country – is an incredible opportunity. It’s a long race, but with the line-up Optimum has put together with Marvin and Ben, I’m confident we have a very strong package and a real chance of being at the front,” said the Australian.

Barnicoat is no stranger to the 6.213km circuit, nor its podium having finished second in the twelve-hour race in the pre-evo 720S back in 2020. The Brit makes his return to the team, having helped secure the 2022 Asian Le Mans Series title with Optimum-Motorsport run Inception Racing in the McLaren. His winning streak most definitely didn’t stop there, the Lexus Factory Driver claimed the 2023 IMSA GTD Pro championship, and a year later went on to clinch the LMP2 Pro-Am victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

"It's hard to put into words how excited I am to be back at the Mountain. It's my favourite track in the world and definitely one of the most iconic sportscar events there is," said Barnicoat. "I'm extremely grateful to Optimum for presenting me with this opportunity, and to Lexus for allowing me to say yes! We have a fantastic lineup in Garnet, Marvin and myself, we all have Bathurst experience and plenty of time behind the wheel of the 720S which are key ingredients in making this trip down under an exciting one. February can't come soon enough!" ‍

Just like Barnicoat, Kirchöffer’s best result at Bathurst also comes in the form of a second-place finish. In fact, it was just a year prior in 2019 that the German secured his maiden podium at the Australian event, albeit in R-Motorsport’s Aston Martin Vantage.

The 2026 edition of Bathurst comes following a strong season for Kirchhöfer, which kickstarted with a Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona win, pole position at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa: IGTC’s blue-riband event and scored McLaren’s first sprint Cup win in GT World Challenge Europe since Nürburgring 2016 en route to claiming the overall race victory at Misano. ‍

“I’m super excited to be back racing in Bathurst our lineup for the 12-hour. Racing with Ben and Garnet is something we can all very much be excited for, it should be a great weekend for us! The car has been very strong around Bathurst, and the two guys already have some really great experience at the track. I’m super grateful to be part of an awesome lineup. It’s been quite sometime since I’ve raced in Bathurst, so I’m looking forward to being back in Australia and heading to one of my favourite tracks. I really can’t wait to get this started,” added Kirchhöfer.

Shaun Goff, Team Principal added: “Everyone at Optimum Motorsport is delighted to confirm our entry into next year’s Bathurst 12 Hours. It’s a race we’ve been keen to do fora long time, and with our rapid pro lineup I know we can take the battle for the victory to the teams that have won it before.”

The 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hours, the first round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge takes place next February, with the action kick-starting on Friday 13th ahead of Sunday’s sunrise-to-sunset season opener. The team will reveal its striking livery closer to the main event.