The countdown is on for the 23rd running of the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, which will take place next year from 13-15 February, contested by an impressive world-class field of GT vehicles on Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

Now traditionally kicking-off the local motorsport season in Australia, the 2026 Bathurst 12 Hour will mark the 10th anniversary of the event becoming part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC).

In this year’s event, more than 51,000 spectators attended across the three days, the second most in event history.

Event Director Shane Rudzis expressed pleasure on behalf of the organising committee to confirm the date for 2026 and lock the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour into its place as the opener for the Aussie motorsport season again.

“We have worked very hard with our partners to ensure the race enjoys clear air to support the aspirations of international teams and drivers to compete here, as well as ensuring our locally based stars can be on the grid,” Rudzis said.

“We’re expecting another melting pot of teams and drivers from here and abroad as global GT racing continues to go from strength to strength.

“Along with our many partners who contributes to this fantastic event, we’re working hard to ensure it’s another brilliant showpiece for Mount Panorama and the state of New South Wales on an international stage.”

Ample effort has been made to ensure the Bathurst date remains clear of conflicts with other major local and international motorsport events and those closer to home, such as the Asian Le Mans Series and the NextGen NZ Championship, which fall on either side of the Bathurst 12 Hour.

This year’s race was claimed by BMW in a 1-2 win for Team WRTs M4 GT3 entries, Brazilian Augusto Farfus and South African brothers Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde by 10 seconds over teammates, Valentino Rossi, Raffaele Marciello and Charles Weerts.

Bathurst Regional Council Acting Mayor, Ben Fry, noted keeping the 12 Hour in its time slot was a major objective in planning for the event.

“A decade in the Intercontinental GT Challenge proves Mount Panorama isn’t a postcard; it’s a global benchmark,” Councillor Fry added.

“Every factory team that lands here spends dollars in town, firms our iconic status and writes Bathurst in the same breath as Spa and Suzuka.

“The extension of our joint-venture deal isn’t just paperwork; it’s the starter button on another decade of certainty.

“Bathurst brings the mountain, Supercars brings the grid, and together we’ll keep this race roaring and local tills ringing.”

The 2026 date announcement locks a new, long-term renewal of the joint venture between Bathurst Regional Council and Supercars Australia as co-owners of the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

Tickets and Camping for the 2026 event will go on sale soon, with high demand anticipated and more than 2,600 campsites expected to be sold across the Paddock, Reid/Sulman and McPhillamy Park campgrounds.