With the 2025 Bathurst 12 Hour Race just around the corner, anticipation is building among fans and competitors alike. This prestigious endurance race takes place at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit and features a multi-class format which showcases outstanding talent from both local and international racing scenes. The event is scheduled for early February 2025, and it promises to deliver thrilling motorsport action.
The Bathurst 12 Hour is classified by different vehicle categories: Class A contest is characterized by cars in FIA GT3 homologation, sharing the track with competitors from Pro, Pro-Am, Silver, and Bronze Cup. Meanwhile, Class B prioritizes Porsche Carrera Cup vehicles, and Class C is reserved for FIA GT4 homologated cars. An additional Class I, the Invitational Cup, welcomes vehicles like the IRC GT and GT2, which don’t neatly fit within the standard classifications. This diverse framework allows various performance levels to compete on equal footing.
This year, one of the returning and prominent figures is Valentino Rossi, the MotoGP legend who’s participating with the de facto BMW factory team. Rossi is poised to race alongside Charles Weerts and Rafaelle Marciello in the #46 car. Meanwhile, the sister #32 entry will feature Augusto Farfus, Sheldon van der Linde, and Kelvin van der Linde. BMW has made its mark at the Bathurst 12 Hour recently; last year’s installment saw the #46 entry finish fifth, with Rossi and his teammates eager to improve upon their positioning this time. "We’re aiming for more," he stated, reflecting on the team’s ambitions.
On the Ferrari front, incoming competitor Will Brown makes his return with the famed marque, teaming with Chaz Mostert and Brazilian driver Daniel Serra. After clinching the GT World Challenge Australia title last year, Brown has shifted from his previous Audi R8 LMS to join Mostert and Serra, marking Ferrari's comeback to the Bathurst 12 Hour after last participating in 2020. All three drivers are vying for their first victory at this storied event. "It’s cool to team up with Chaz, who’s really the benchmark here in Australia. He’s got the speed and the skills, and I’m excited to learn from him," Brown noted.
Chaz Mostert himself has shown promise with previous performances but has yet to secure the overall victory at Bathurst. During his earlier outings, Mostert made headlines with pole positions and class wins but admits the outright win has eluded him so far. Mostert expressed, "Joining Arise Racing for their inaugural Bathurst 12 Hour campaign is thrilling. We’re aiming to showcase to the world the capabilities of our team." His enthusiasm for working with Brown and Serra is palpable, signifying high expectations for the team’s performance.
Other Supercars full-timers making waves at Bathurst include Cam Waters and Thomas Randle, set to share the Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3, alongside Craig Lowndes again this year, who returns for his second consecutive Bathurst. Encouraging developments also emerge from the Arise Racing team, with Jaxon Evans co-driving their second Ferrari entry. Brown’s fellow Supercars teammate, Broc Feeney, recently secured a late drive with the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi. Feeney certainly has expectations as he explores the unfamiliar Audi, "It’s going to be a learning weekend for me since I’ve never driven one before." Nevertheless, he is pumped about the chance to contribute to the team’s effort this weekend.
The Bathurst 12 Hour Race is poised to be a strong display of teamwork, driver skill, and sheer perseverance from all participants. Observers will read between the lines of driver exchanges and team strategies leading up to the event, setting the stage for what promises to be another unforgettable endurance race at Mount Panorama.
With each competitor hoping to claim the title, fans are set for thrilling performances and might even bare witness to historic triumphs. The camaraderie and engagement among these elite drivers and teams not only enrich the event but also signify the racing spirit alive and well at the Bathurst 12 Hour. Will this year finally see Ferrari’s triumphant return, or will Rossi and BMW write off their own please? Only time will tell as the engines roar and the clock counts down to what should be another legendary race.