The 2025 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) kicks off this weekend with the daring and coveted Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, held at Mount Panorama from January 31st to February 2nd. A total of 22 teams will tackle the 3.861-mile, 23-corner circuit in the season opener event, setting off in the early hours of the morning as they dive through the technical turns, drastic elevation changes, and high-speed sectors.
This year, the manufacturer championship fight will feature four powerhouse brands going head-to-head: BMW, Mercedes-AMG, reigning champions Porsche, and Ferrari, which returns to IGTC competition for the first time since 2022.
Bathurst serves as the first stop on the iconic international calendar, which spans across five races around the world. The championship will then head to the Nordschleife in Germany for the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring, before continuing on to Belgium for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. Suzuka is also returning for the first time since 2019, and all roads lead to Indy for the season finale 8 hour race into the night at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The championship structure remains unchanged, with manufacturers scoring points based on their two highest-placed finishers per event, while drivers earn IGTC points by placing in the overall top 10.
The Entry List
There will be 19 GT3 entries on the starting grid, 14 of which come from IGTC-registered manufacturers. Among the star-studded field, reigning IGTC champion Charles Weerts leads BMW’s factory effort, joined by household names Valentino Rossi and Raffaele Marciello. Team WRT counterparts Augusto Farfus, Sheldon Van Der Linde, and Kelvin Van Der Linde are also expected to be top contenders.
Porsche will be relying on 2024 winners Matt Campbell and Ayhancan Güven, teaming up with Alessio Picariello to drive the Absolute Racing 911 GT3 R (992).
Mercedes-AMG are equipped with 8 entries, half of which are in the Pro class, strengthening their chances of winning down under. Notably, former Bathurst-winning trio Kenny Habul, Luca Stolz, and Jules Gounon are reuniting, co-driving for 75 Express. However, Team GMR’s Maro Engel, Maxime Martin, and Mikael Grenier always remain ones to watch and will be equally eager to fight for the crown. The same holds true for Craft-Bamboo Racing’s Maximilian Gotz, Lucas Auer, and Jayden Ojeda, as well as Cameron Waters, Craig Lowndes, and Thomas Randle from Scott Taylor Motorsport.
Ferrari enters as a dark horse with reigning GT World Challenge Australia champions Arise Racing, including the stellar lineup of Chaz Mostert, Will Brown, and Daniel Serra.
How to Watch
Fans from around the globe can catch all the action from the practice sessions, Qualifying, the Pirelli Pole Battle, and the race live on SRO’s official GT World YouTube channel.
In the United States, audiences can tune in to Qualifying starting at 9:05 PM ET Saturday evening, with coverage for the Bathurst 12 Hour commencing at 1:45 PM ET on Sunday.