► A few choice snapshots of the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour GT race
► Annual enduro held at winding Australian mountain circuit
► Race covers more than 1200 miles, climbing 570ft each lap
The Bathurst 12 Hour is brutal. An annual international endurance race for GT and saloon cars of all shapes and sizes held at the spectacular Mount Panorama circuit in Australia, it’s a serious test of stamina for both car and driver.
Ferrari’s 488 GT3 took the spoils at the 2017 race held over the weekend, after a nail-biting overtaking move on the grass and a last-gasp collision for Mercedes‘ chasing AMG GT3.
You can watch some of the thrills (and more than a few spills) from the 2017 12 Hour in the highlights video at the foot of this page. In between, enjoy a few petrol-soaked postcards from Mount Panorama…
The Mount Panorama circuit climbs 570ft from the start straight to its highest point
Wildlife is a recurring feature at Bathurst – kangaroos have been known to venture onto the circuit during races, much to drivers’ alarm.
This section of the Mount Panorama is known as The Big Dipper; more than a few cars fell foul of its unforgiving lack of run-off this year…
And here’s the Big Dipper by sunrise. Racing at the Bathurst 12 Hour kicks off at 5.45am, racing from darkness into light.
An engine issue lost defending champs Tekno Autosports’ McLaren 650S GT3 three laps in the second hour of the race; they fought back to finish fifth, one lap behind the winner
Bentley driver (and former Audi LMP1 Le Mans star) Oliver Jarvis described the Bathurst race as the most ‘brutal’ he’s ever competed in. Together with M Sport team mates Guy Smith and Steven Kane, he finished third.
Watch CAR’s Ben Barry drive the M Sport Bentley Conti GT3 at Silverstone, with a little tuition from Steven Kane, right here
Bathurst is a car-breaker: fire damage forced KTM’s threatening-looking X-Bow to retire from the lead of the GT4 class.
No fewer than 55 cars took the start at dusk, 29 of them top-class GT3 machines. Not all of them finished…
Competition Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 R grabbed second overall, taking advantage of a late crash for last year’s winner Shane van Gisbergen, this year driving a Mercedes AMG GT3.
Like this? Try: The story of Le Mans 2015 – in 24 photographs