The future of the Bathurst 12 Hour has been secured via new long-term agreement between Event Promoter, Supercars and the Bathurst Regional Council, which will see the event benefit from stability “for at least another decade”.
The 2026 running of the event, which will be the 10th under the stewardship of Supercars, is set to have its date confirmed shortly.
This year, more than 50,000 people attended the four-day festival, while more than 2,600 campsites were sold, an event record.
“I want to thank Bathurst Regional Council for their partnership with the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, extending our agreement long-term,” says Shane Rudzis, the event director
“We’ve seen significant growth of the event since our relationship commenced in 2016 as it has become one of the top GT racing events on the planet.
“Bathurst and the Mountain are iconic globally and we have also been able to showcase the city, region and the entire state of New South Wales to the world via the race. Having a long-term commitment on both sides to continue our joint venture moving forward is exciting for both parties.”
Ben Fry, Acting Mayor, Bathurst Regional Council, added: “The Bathurst 12 Hour is always the first cab off the GT rank and a shot of economic espresso for Bathurst after the January go-slow.
“Mount Panorama isn’t a postcard; it’s a global benchmark. 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.”
SRO and the Intercontinental GT Challenge were not mentioned in today’s announcement, but there are no plans for any major changes in format, status or timing of the event. DSC understands that we will hear more in the SRO press conference later today at Spa.
