Simonsen had become associated with Bathurst’s two major race events, having finished on the podium alongside Greg Murphy in an edition of the Bathurst 1000, and created a couple of records during his Bathurst 12 Hour campaigns.

He set new marks for the fastest lap during the race as well as the fastest official lap by a closed-wheel car, though it wasn’t officially recognised as a record because it was below the “benchmark time” regulation that was in place at that stage.

As a consequence of his connection to Mount Panorama, the popular Dane was immortalised last year with the awarding of the inaugural Allan Simonsen Trophy for the pole-sitter.

Now, the man who gave his approval for that trophy to be struck will be on deck to carry the surname around the circuit once more.

Simonsen’s younger brother, Benny, was a last minute addition to this year’s 12 Hour grid after an announcement on Friday.

The 31-year-old will drive for Melbourne- based Ferrari squad Vicious Rumour Racing, replacing team owner Tony DeFelice, having spent time in Victoria recently test driving at Phillip Island.

The younger Simonsen has continued efforts to make his own name in GT racing following Allan’s death behind the wheel of an Aston Martin at Le Mans in 2013.

Last year he gained plenty of valuable experience competing with one of his brother’s former team-mates in the British Championship, partnering Hector Lester in a 458 like the one he will drive this weekend.

“Really excited to say I’m doing the Bathurst 12 Hour with Vicious Rumour Racing,” he posted from his Twitter account over the weekend.

“It’s a dream.

“[I’m] getting some practice in at Vicious Rumour Racing’s simulator at their workshop. Awesome fun!”

Simonsen’s place alongside Andrea Montermini and Renato Loberto was rubber-stamped by the latest version of the official race field which came out on Friday.

Eighteen of the 29 GT3 entries have also qualified for Gentleman’s Trophy, including the Vicious Rumour Ferrari, the factory Nissan and the lead Jamec Pem Audi.

The third driver in the second AF Corse Ferrari remains the only unknown among the field, which will hit the track one week from today.

In addition to the enforced absence of Bathurst driver Terry Nightingale, which was announced last Wednesday, there have been a couple of other changes.

Some other twists in the class line-ups include British GT driver Devon Modell taking the place of team owner Rob Holland in the Rotek Racing Porsche.

MARC Cars Australia has also tweaked its line-up, with former Formula 3 driver Ben Gersekowski coming in to replace veteran Andrew Miedecke and Tim Miles taking the spot that had been expected to be filled by team owner Ryan McLeod.