It’s the 13th running of the race which is fast gaining a world-wide reputation as one of the highlights on the international motorsport stage.

With the lure of the iconic mountain circuit proving an insatiable attraction for drivers and teams alike, this year’s line-up of GT cars features the likes of defending champions Ferrari, along with Audi, Aston Martin, Bentley, Porsche, Nissan, McLaren, Lamborghini and Mercedes Benz.

And the fact that the Seven Network will televise the 12 Hour live from 5.30am right through to the finish at 6pm is another huge leap forward for the race. 

Last year the Seven Network only covered the final three hours of the race live.

Event director James O’Brien was buoyant ahead of tomorrow’s big day, noting the addition this year of Bentley and Aston Martin.

“This year is as big as it’s ever been for the Bathurst Liqui-Moly 12 Hour,” he said. “It’s our 13th year. The ninth since the event was re-established in 2007 and four times from 1991-94.

“Really, the sky’s the limit because there’s so much potential there. You’ve got one of the world’s great tracks and a formula including GT3 cars which are huge globally. It’s a good mix and a recipe for success, but there’s plenty of growth left in the event yet.”

Mr O’Brien said the fact the paddock camping ground is sold out for the first time this year is a key indicator of growing support for the event.

“We’ve had to open up a second camping ground,” he said. “Now we’re hoping the fans will turn up on Sunday [tomorrow] . The weather’s supposed to be fine and warm, so everything looks good. All we need is for the cars to stay off the walls.”

Star drivers taking part in tomorrow’s race include David Brabham, Felix Baumgartner, Darryl O’Young, Steven Richards, Tony D’Alberto, Dean Canto and Patrick Long.

Bathurst mayor Gary Rush said the region was thrilled to commence the city’s 200th anniversary celebrations with a major international event like the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. 

“This event’s ability to attract attention to this region, to this community and to show 23 million Australians and many, many people throughout the world that we are celebrating a bicentenary here is a pretty significant, historical event for Australia,” he said.

Fans will also be looking forward to watching Austrian ‘extreme athlete’ Felix Baumgartner who will make his Bathurst debut this weekend, driving an Audi R8 LMS Ultra.

Baumgartner, who made his racing debut last year at the Nurburgring, became famous for setting records for jumping from space during the Red Bull Stratos program – but has now turned his attention Australia’s toughest race track. 

“I was walking around yesterday just to see the layout and I have to say I am completely impressed with the layout of this race track,” he said. 

“It looks like the mini Nurburgring, which was the first race that I did last year, so I don’t have a racing history – I am what they call a Bathurst virgin. I have done a lot of preparation on a simulator, but it never looked so steep, so when we went up there and down there yesterday it was just insane, you know – it’s going to be a really difficult challenge.”