> ‘Wall to wall’ on-track programme locked in, including new support category
> New fan-centric innovations to further enhance Australia’s International Enduro
> Voices of endurance racing to return as part of international coverage
The 100-day countdown to Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli’s 2020 season opener has commenced with Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour organisers announcing several key on and off-track components.
Australia’s International Enduro is set to be the biggest yet when the world’s only global GT3 championship travels to Mount Panorama on January 31 – February 2.
Showing the continued growth in the event, organisers are pleased to confirm that campground sales are significantly higher than at the same point last year while ticket pre-sales have also been strong.
Trackside and Grandstand tickets remain on sale via Ticketek, with reserved Grandstand seats selling quickly. Paddock access will again remain free to all patrons throughout the event.
SUPPORT CATEGORIES CONFIRMED
The ever-popular Aussie Racing Cars will join a packed on-track programme for the first time next year.
Organisers have promised ‘wall-to-wall’ track activity in between Bathurst 12 Hour sessions across the weekend, with Aussie Racing Cars to be joined by the Wake Up Hostels Combined Sedans and Group S Historic Touring Cars on the racing undercard.
Celebrating their 20th anniversary this year, Aussie Racing Cars are one of the longest running and most successful categories in Australian motorsport and will make a highly anticipated return to Mount Panorama next year.
The category last competed on the Mountain in 2015, with their racing hallmarked by epic slipstreaming battles both up and down the mountain and last corner passes for victory.
Combined Sedans – a grid comprised of TA2, Sports Sedans, Improved Production and ex-Supercars – has already confirmed a full 55-car field while the classic Group S machinery will add further diversity to the event undercard.
More unique on-track action will be announced closer to the event.
FAN ENGAGEMENT TO BE ENHANCED
In a 12 Hour first, fans trackside and viewing on TV will be better able to follow the positions of each car via the addition of Lumirank LED Panels to be fitted to each car next year.
The three-digit display panels will display race position for each car as well as helping identify which driver is in the car at any given time.
The system, developed in Germany, is a mainstay of other #IntGTC events and has been used successfully in Europe and America’s Blancpain GT championships.
Linked to circuit timing, the displays show each driver’s three-letter acronym when they are in the car and also display current race and/or class position throughout the event.
Mounted in the top corner of the windscreen, the displays are bright and visible from trackside viewing and on TV.
INTERNATIONAL VOICES LOCKED IN
Globally recognised voices of endurance racing will return to Mount Panorama to form part of the on-air broadcast team in 2020.
John Hindhaugh and the Radio Show Ltd. team will once again join the coverage to be aired in Australia and New Zealand live on TV, and around the world via the live stream.
The return of the RSL team will ensure the race also continues to be broadcast live to their large audience of die-hard endurance racing fans around the globe via radiolemans.com.
Last year a massive audience from 132 countries streamed at least some part of the event.
Further details of the broadcast package in place for 2020 will be released in due course.
The final round of this year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge takes place at the Kyalami 9 Hour on November 21-23 before the new season begins just nine weeks later.