Bathurst 12 Hour: A True Endurance Challenge
The Ultimate GT3 Test at Mount Panorama
The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, held at the iconic Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. Known for its challenging layout, significant elevation changes, and narrow mountain section, this race is a true test of skill, strategy, and endurance.
In real-world motorsports, the Bathurst 12 Hour serves as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge Series. In iRacing, this virtual endurance event will take place from February 21-23, 2025, just two weeks after the real-world race.
Event Format and Schedule
The Bathurst 12 Hour in iRacing will feature four starting times to accommodate drivers across various time zones:
Friday, 22:00 GMT – Ideal for drivers in North and South America, as the race will take place during the day in those regions.
Saturday, 07:00 GMT – Best suited for competitors from the Asia-Pacific region.
Saturday, 12:00 GMT – This slot hosts the Pro Split race, where the fastest drivers will compete. Spectators looking to watch the best of the best should tune in at this time.
Saturday, 16:00 GMT – A great backup option for drivers who suffer an early exit due to crashes or technical issues in previous races.
Race Format
Qualifying: Lone qualifying session with two flying laps.
Race: 12 hours of intense GT3 racing.
The GT3 Lineup
The Bathurst 12 Hour is a GT3-only event, featuring all ten of the current-generation GT3 cars available in iRacing. Each vehicle's performance is adjusted using a custom Balance of Performance (BoP) to ensure competitive racing. However, the unique nature of Mount Panorama means that engine layout and weight distribution play a crucial role in car selection and strategy.
Cars:
Acura NSX GT3 Evo 22
Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II
BMW M4 GT3
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R
Ferrari 296 GT3
Ford Mustang GT3
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo
McLaren 720S GT3 EVO
Mercedes-AMG GT3 2020
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
With Mount Panorama’s steep climbs, fast downhill sections, and tight corners, car selection is key. Cars with a mid-engine layout often excel in the twisty sections of the track, while front-engine cars may provide greater stability over longer stints.
What to Expect
The Bathurst 12 Hour is not just a race—it’s an endurance battle that tests both individual skill and team coordination. The tight mountain section leaves no room for error, while the Conrod Straight provides opportunities for high-speed overtakes.
Drivers will need to carefully manage:
Traffic – Multi-class racing is absent, but skill gaps between teams mean careful navigation is necessary.
Strategy – Fuel management, tire wear, and driver swaps will all play crucial roles.
Incidents – The unforgiving walls of Mount Panorama have claimed many victims in both real and virtual racing.
With the right preparation, car selection, and endurance mindset, teams can position themselves for a strong finish in one of the most grueling GT3 races on the iRacing calendar.
Will you conquer The Mountain? Start preparing now, and make sure to enter one of iRacing’s most prestigious endurance events.
For more data insights, driver performance analysis, and race breakdowns, stay tuned to BRAKE.GG!
