The 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour has released its provisional entry list, featuring 36 cars.
It’s the largest field assembled for Australia’s great sports car race since 2020, when 39 cars entered the last edition of the Bathurst 12 Hour before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the cancellation of the race for 2021, and a difficult climb to reach this same level of participation in the ensuing years. The 12 brands featured in this year’s race are also the most since 2019.
The confirmation of Haupt Racing Team’s entry with a single Ford Mustang GT3, set to face off against two Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.Rs from Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR), and the return of reigning Bathurst 12 Hour winners Team WRT headline the list of cars that were revealed today.
It’ll be the first time that Ford and GM will race against one another in the 12-hour, rekindling a classic American and Australian rivalry. For decades, Ford and Holden (the former GM Australia brand) were the main protagonists of Australian touring car racing.
Arise Racing GT will also bring a pair of Ferrari 296 GT3s to rekindle the Ford versus Ferrari rivalry at Bathurst.
Team WRT’s two BMW M4 GT3 EVOs won’t be the only BMWs on the grid, as they’ll be joined by GT World Challenge Asia regular Team KRC, one of a few new teams to this event.
Reigning Bathurst 1000 winning squad Grove Racing headlines a massive 11-car fleet of Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs, along with several high-profile teams including a single car from Kenny Habul’s 75 Express squad, three cars from Tigani Motorsport, an entry from Heart of Racing by SPS, two cars from Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, and an entry from Mercedes-AMG Team GMR (GruppeM Racing).
RAM Motorsport/GWR Australia and Scott Taylor Motorsport round out the selection of Mercedes-AMGs.
EBM (Earl Bamber Motorsport) headlines the five Porsche 911 GT3 Rs in the field, with entries from Herberth Motorsport, High Class Racing, Absolute Racing, and Tsunami RT also on the grid.
Team MPC (Melbourne Performance Centre) enters four Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO IIs, keeping the four rings’ presence at Bathurst alive.
Rounding out the GT3 cars in the field are Volante Rosso’s dual-branded effort with an Aston Martin Vantage GT3 and McLaren (720S) GT3 Evo, Wall Racing’s Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO, and Optimum Motorsport’s McLaren.
The selection of non-GT3 cars is small, consisting of Team NZ’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 and Method Motorsport’s McLaren Artura GT4 battling one-on-one for class honours – while in the Invitational category, it’s 111 Racing’s V8-powered IRC GT versus KTM Vantage Racing with the X-Bow GT2.
“To release an entry list before Christmas, even before entries officially close, speaks volumes about how far this event has grown and rebounded in recent years,” said Event Director Shane Rudzis.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour has always been fiercely competitive, whether the grid was 20 cars or 40 and remains one of the hardest endurance races in the world to win. But 2026 is shaping up to deliver one of our most competitive and diverse fields yet.
“Our slogan is ‘Where the World Comes to Race,’ and the 2026 edition couldn’t embody that more. With teams from 11 countries already confirmed, a broad mix of brands, and the debut of new teams and manufacturers, this year promises something truly special.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ford Racing to the Mountain. It’s been talked about for a long time, and seeing Haupt Racing Team bring their entry to life is a huge moment for all of us. Few rivalries are more iconic than the General versus the Blue Oval at Bathurst – and now fans get to experience that in February as well as October.
“We’re also excited to welcome back Team WRT. After finishing 1-2 this year, they could have easily said ‘job done’ and focused on their other programs. Instead, the lure of Bathurst has drawn them back to defend their victory—a feat achieved only twice before in 12 Hour history.
“There’s more to come, but we wanted to share this incredible field early to give fans something to look forward to over Christmas and New Year.
“Tickets, camping, premium camping, and corporate hospitality are selling fast, so don’t miss out. We can’t wait to see that iconic sunrise over the Mountain on race day, there’s nothing like it.
“From Everyone at the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, have a great festive break with friends, family and loved ones, see you in February.”
Images © Andrew “Skippy” Hall, Frozenspeed / dailysportscar.com
