Bathurst 12 Hour qualifying tweaked

The contest for the Allan Simonsen Pole Award at the Bathurst 12 Hour has been adjusted with the 2025 regulations now set.

The popular dawn to dusk enduro around the iconic Mount Panorama will return on January 31-February 2 in 2025 and again double as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

Following consultation between Supercars, SRO, competitors, Motorsport Australia and other key parties the sporting and technical regulations have been set.

One of the biggest changes has happened to qualifying with the fight for the Allan Simonsen Pole Award.

Previously the top 10 was split into five-car groups with the fastest taking pole position in the Shootout.

In 2025 the Shootout will now be an all-in 10-car session over a yet to be revealed length.

The revised qualifying format will also see Qualifying 1 containing the bottom 50% of cars from Practice 6 and Qualifying 2 where the fastest 50% aim to secure a top 10 berth.

In other key alterations there will be two formation laps ahead of the rolling start.

To bring Bathurst in line with races around the world the class requirements have been slightly adjusted to see Pro-Am entries have either three drivers (1x Platinum / Gold / Silver plus 2 Bronze-ranked drivers) or four drivers (2x Platinum / Gold / Silver, 2x Bronze).

The maximum stint length for Bronze drivers has been extended from 80 minutes to 120 minutes, but this will not be imposed if they are in a Pro entry.

When the cars are in the lane ‘Timed’ and ‘Untimed’ stops now reflected in the regulations, while timed stops will be for fuel/driver changes and subject to a minimum stop time.

The Safety Car rules and regulations now reflect the Supercars Operations Manual.

The 2025 Balance of Performance regulations include a provision for maximum stint lengths, measured in laps, as part of the BoP system that ensures equal performance between the various makes and models that comprise the GT3 grid.

“It’s always a lengthy and intricate process refining the regulations year on year,” said Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director Shane Rudzis. “The 2025 regulations reflect more minor evolutions rather than wholesale change, with the regulations broadly very similar to what produced such an exciting race in 2024.

“We have worked closely with our partners at SRO to further ensure the race reflects the key international events and GT3 championships to ensure familiarity for teams racing both here and abroad, while continuing to embrace the unique factors that make the Bathurst 12 Hour very much its own thing.

“Elements like no minimum drive time applying to Bronze drivers when they’re part of a Pro entry have become a key factor in the race and allowed the likes of Kenny Habul an opportunity to win outright where otherwise they might not get the chance.

“At the same time the option to go to two formation laps is designed to improve the show, preserve the thrill of the two-by-two rolling start and remove some of the challenges at the race start and in the opening laps, regardless of conditions or weather at the time.

“Reverting back to an all-in, 10-car battle for pole will make for an exciting conclusion to Saturday with the 10 fastest cars all on track at the same time fighting to win the Allan Simonsen Pole award.

“Entries will open very soon and we’re excited to start welcoming teams from around the world and Australia to join us on the Mountain for another incredible race next February.”

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