A new date for the ever-popular Bathurst 12 Hour has been announced with the 2024 edition to take place two weeks after its traditional time slot.
 
Usually held on the first weekend of February, organisers have now moved the event to 16 – 18 February following extensive consultation with teams, fans, key stakeholders, manufacturers and international partners.
 
The move was made to help the event continue to grow and allow extended preparation time for teams and drivers both in Australia and abroad to compete.
 
Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director Shane Rudzis believed the change would have a positive effect on the event.
 
“There has been extensive consultation into the revised date, all of which is aimed at further growing the race as one of the leading GT endurance races in the world,” Rudzis said.
 
“It is only a two-week shift, however it creates several positives for our competitors from both Australia and overseas.
 
“Moving two weeks later allows for some separation from the start of the United States’ season at the Daytona 24 Hour and opens the potential for participation from those teams.
 
“The slightly later start will also allow for Australian teams to better prepare across the Christmas – New Year period, while also allowing European teams to better manage their freight and travel logistics at the end of the current season.
 
“The race will remain the start of the Australian racing calendar and launch the 2024 season with a bang in New South Wales.
 
“Our thanks go to our partners at Destination New South Wales, the Bathurst Regional Council, SRO Group and all our partners for their support as we continue to build Australia’s International Enduro into the future.”


Despite the shift in dates, the event will remain as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli.
 
There has already been plenty of interest for the event with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini expected to bring down new eligible models for the first time.
 
SRO Motorsports Group will also continue as the event’s partner and the organisation’s Founder and CEO, Stephane Ratel was pleased the event stayed in February.  
 
“Racing in February is an intrinsic part of the 12 Hour’s identity but also allows manufacturers and international teams to travel Down Under each year without impacting their other programmes,” Ratel explained.
 
"Maintaining both elements has always been of paramount importance, but we are also mindful of the congestion that now exists within global GT and sportscar racing’s ‘pre-season’ schedule, as well as the clamour from outside of Europe – and especially in America – to race at the iconic Mount Panorama.
 
“Pushing Bathurst back two weeks therefore makes perfect sense if we’re to ensure that even more of the world’s very best drivers can test themselves in Australia’s International Enduro.”
 
With the event highly supported by the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, Bathurst Regional Council Mayor Robert Taylor was looking forward to another big event.
 
“We look forward to welcoming teams and spectators to the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour in mid-February.  The event continues to grow and the revised date will help ensure an even bigger lineup of teams and drivers from across the world are able to participate,” Taylor added.
 
“This will only enhance one of the best endurances races in the world, on one of the best race tracks in the world and keep bringing race fans to Bathurst and the Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.”
 
Tickets, Grandstand seating and camping for the 2024 event will go on sale soon with information for the event available now.
 
The 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at Mount Panorama on 16 – 18 February.