2023 Bathurst 12 Hour
The 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour was a 12-hour endurance race for GT3-specification sports cars, held at the 6.213 km Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia, from 3 to 5 February as the season-opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.[1] The event, sponsored by Liqui Moly, attracted a record crowd of 53,446 spectators and featured intense competition among professional and amateur drivers in a diverse field of Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, BMW, Audi, and other GT3 machinery.[2] The race commenced at 05:45 local time on 5 February and concluded after 323 laps, covering a distance of 2006.799 km at an average speed of 167 km/h, marking the longest green-flag run of 4 hours and 45 minutes in event history.[3][2] Victory went to the #75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Australian Kenny Habul, French ace Jules Gounon, and German Luca Stolz, who secured back-to-back wins for the team and made Gounon the first driver to claim three consecutive Bathurst 12 Hour triumphs.[3][2] The podium was completed by the #912 Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R of Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, and Thomas Preining in second, just 0.9267 seconds behind, and the #999 Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM entry of Maro Engel, Mikael Grenier, and Raffaele Marciello in third, resulting in the closest top-three finish in the GT3 era at 1.4177 seconds.[3][2] Qualifying saw Mercedes-AMG's Maro Engel set a new practice and qualifying lap record of 2:00.8819, the first sub-2:01 lap in the event's history, surpassing the previous mark of 2:01.0836.[2] The race was punctuated by five safety car periods totaling 16 laps, including a dramatic late collision between race leader Gounon and third-place chaser Engel at The Chase corner, which ultimately decided the outcome in a thrilling sprint to the flag.[3][2]Background
Event overview
The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour was an endurance motor racing event held from February 3 to 5 at the Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia.[1] The weekend schedule featured practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday, with the main race commencing on Sunday at 5:45 AM AEDT and running for 12 hours on the 6.213 km circuit.[4][1] As the opening round of the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), the event marked a significant early-season test for GT3 machinery on the challenging Mount Panorama layout.[5] It achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Bathurst 12 Hour to exceed 2,000 km in distance covered, with the winning car completing 323 laps for a total of 2,006.79 km at an average speed of 167 km/h.[6] Weather conditions were mostly dry and mild throughout the weekend, with temperatures ranging from 20–25°C and only a brief threat of rain during early sessions that did not significantly affect proceedings.[7][8] The event drew a record three-day attendance of 53,446 spectators, a 24% increase over the previous high.[6] Live coverage was provided in Australia via Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, and the Seven Network, while global streaming was available through SRO Motorsports Group platforms.[9][10]Regulations and format
The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour served as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC), an SRO-sanctioned series for GT3 machinery, with points awarded to the top finishers in each class toward the annual championships. The event featured a class structure divided into Pro, Pro-Am, Silver Cup, and Bronze Cup within the GT3 category, alongside an Invitational class for non-homologated vehicles. The Pro class was reserved for full-time professional drivers rated Platinum or Gold by the FIA, marking its return after an absence since 2016. Pro-Am entries required at least one Bronze-rated driver alongside professionals, emphasizing mixed lineups to promote amateur participation. Silver Cup for teams consisting of Silver-rated drivers (up to three Silver-rated in a three-driver lineup) and/or Bronze-rated drivers, while Bronze Cup mandated all Bronze-rated drivers. Due to low entry numbers in previous years, the former Class B (GT3 Trophy) and Class C (Porsche GT3 Cup and production cars) were merged into the single Invitational class, accommodating vehicles like MARC Cars Australia’s MARC II V8, GT2-spec cars, and GTC machinery not conforming to GT3 standards.[11][12][13] To ensure competitive parity among diverse GT3 manufacturers, the SRO Motorsports Group implemented a Balance of Performance (BoP) framework, adjusting parameters such as minimum vehicle weight, power output via air restrictors, and ride heights specific to the Mount Panorama Circuit. For instance, the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo was assigned a minimum weight of 1,330 kg, reflecting tweaks to counteract its aerodynamic advantages on the demanding track. These adjustments were finalized and published prior to the event, based on testing and data analysis to minimize performance disparities.[14] The race adhered to a 12-hour endurance format, starting at 5:45 a.m. local time on February 5, with teams required to complete mandatory pit stops for refueling, tire changes, and driver swaps under rolling starts following safety car periods. Driver stint limits were enforced to prioritize safety and fairness: Bronze-rated drivers were capped at 80 minutes per stint and a total of three hours overall, with no double-stinting permitted, while higher-rated drivers faced fewer restrictions but still required rotations to cover the distance. Adjustments during stops, such as ballast redistribution, were allowed within BoP guidelines, but all vehicles had to comply with minimum pit lane times for service efficiency.[15][16] Technically, GT3 entries were required to meet FIA homologation standards, including standardized chassis, engines, and aerodynamics as outlined in the GT3 technical regulations, ensuring eligibility for SRO series. The Invitational class permitted broader allowances for production-based or prototype vehicles, such as the MARC II V8's naturally aspirated 7.0-liter engine without GT3-specific restrictors, provided they passed scrutineering for safety and basic performance equivalence.[17][18]Entries
Class structure
The 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour featured a class structure designed to accommodate varying levels of driver experience within the GT3 category, while providing opportunities for non-standard vehicles in a separate invitational division. Class A encompassed all FIA-homologated GT3 cars, subdivided into four competitive categories based on driver ratings as defined by the FIA's tiered system of Platinum, Gold (collectively Pro), Silver, and Bronze ratings, which assess professional status and experience.[13][19] The Pro class was reserved for all-professional lineups with no restrictions on driver ratings, allowing teams to field three or four Platinum- or Gold-rated drivers exclusively; these entries were eligible for Intercontinental GT Challenge (IGTC) manufacturer and driver points.[12][20] The Pro-Am class required mixed professional-amateur crews, specifically two Platinum-, Gold-, or Silver-rated drivers paired with at least one Bronze-rated driver in a three- or four-driver team, awarding a separate class winner to encourage gentleman driver participation.[13][12] The Silver Cup targeted semi-professional entries where the leading driver was rated Silver or lower, permitting combinations of Silver- and Bronze-rated drivers in three- or four-person teams for all Silver drivers or two Silver with two Bronze.[13][12] Introduced for 2023, the Bronze Cup emphasized amateur accessibility, limited to teams of three or four exclusively Bronze-rated drivers to foster emerging talent without higher-rated professionals.[19][21] Class I, the Invitational division, included non-homologated GT3 vehicles ineligible for IGTC points but competing for a dedicated trophy, featuring Australian-developed MARC V8 sports cars, FIA GT2-spec machinery, and GTC-class entries such as older GT3 variants or turbocharged models from one-make series.[22][23] All Invitational entries required at least one Bronze-rated driver and adhered to a minimum lap time of 2:06 to ensure competitive balance.[24] The event capped total entries at 28 cars to manage logistics on the Mount Panorama Circuit.[20] Originally, Class B was designated for Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars and Class C for GT4 machinery, but due to fewer than five entries in each, these were merged into the Invitational class to maintain a viable field.[22][11] Scoring prioritized the Pro class for the overall race victory, with the first-placing Pro car declared the outright winner.[13] IGTC points were awarded solely to Pro class finishers on a descending scale (25 for first, 18 for second, down to 1 for 20th), while other classes received trophies based on finishing positions within their respective divisions, without contributing to the international championship standings.[25][20]Teams and drivers
The 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour attracted a field of 26 cars across the Pro, Pro-Am, Silver, Bronze, and Invitational classes, featuring a mix of factory-supported GT3 machinery and invitational entries in categories such as GT4 and production-based sports cars.[26] Prominent international drivers included MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi making his Bathurst debut in the #46 BMW M4 GT3, alongside Supercars stars like Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup.[27] The entry list highlighted strong representation from Mercedes-AMG and Audi, with eight cars each in the Pro and Pro-Am classes.[26]Pro Class
The Pro class consisted of eight GT3 entries from leading manufacturers, crewed by professional drivers with experience in series like the GT World Challenge Europe and IMSA.[26]| Car # | Team | Make/Model | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Sheldon van der Linde (South Africa), Dries Vanthoor (Belgium), Charles Weerts (Belgium) |
| 46 | Team WRT | BMW M4 GT3 | Augusto Farfus (Brazil), Maxime Martin (Belgium), Valentino Rossi (Italy) |
| 74 | Audi Sport | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Christopher Haase (Germany), Patrick Niederhäuser (Switzerland), Mattia Drudi (Italy) |
| 75 | SunEnergy1 | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Kenny Habul (Australia), Jules Gounon (France), Luca Stolz (Germany) |
| 77 | Mercedes-AMG Craft-Bamboo Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Daniel Juncadella (Spain), Philip Ellis (United Kingdom), Nicky Catsburg (Netherlands) |
| 888 | Supercheap Auto Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand), Broc Feeney (Australia), Maximilian Götz (Germany) |
| 912 | Manthey EMA | Porsche 911 GT3 R | Matt Campbell (Australia), Mathieu Jaminet (France), Thomas Preining (Austria) |
| 999 | GruppeM Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Maro Engel (Germany), Mikael Grenier (Canada), Raffaele Marciello (Switzerland) |
Pro-Am Class
Eight GT3 cars competed in the Pro-Am class, where at least one driver per entry held an amateur license, blending professional talent with gentleman drivers from national series.[26]| Car # | Team | Make/Model | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Grove Racing | Porsche 911 GT3 R | Stephen Grove (Australia), Brenton Grove (Australia), Anton De Pasquale (Australia) |
| 9 | Hallmarc | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Lee Holdsworth (Australia), Dean Fiore (Australia), Marc Cini (Australia) |
| 24 | Makita Volante Rosso Motorsport | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Tony Bates (Australia), Jordan Love (Australia), David Reynolds (Australia) |
| 55 | FUCHS Lubricants Racing | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Brad Schumacher (Australia), James Golding (Australia), Frédéric Vervisch (Belgium) |
| 65 | Melbourne Performance Centre | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Chaz Mostert (Australia), Fraser Ross (Australia), Liam Talbot (Australia) |
| 99 | Boost Mobile Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Jamie Whincup (Australia), Richie Stanaway (New Zealand), Prince Jefri Ibrahim (Brunei) |
| 222 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Craig Lowndes (Australia), Alex Davison (Australia), Geoff Emery (Australia), Scott Taylor (Australia) |
| 777 | The Bend Motorsport Park | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Christopher Mies (Germany), Ricardo Feller (Switzerland), Yasser Shahin (Kuwait) |
Silver Class
The Silver class included four GT3 entries, reserved for lineups with at least one Silver-rated driver, often featuring rising talents from regional GT championships.[26]| Car # | Team | Make/Model | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Wall Racing | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 | Tony D'Alberto (Australia), David Wall (Australia), Grant Denyer (Australia), Adrian Deitz (Australia) |
| 10 | MYLAND | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | Daniel Gaunt (New Zealand), Dylan O'Keeffe (Australia), Andrew Fawcett (Australia) |
| 44 | Valmont Racing | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Marcel Zalloua (Australia), Sergio Pires (South Africa), Duvashen Padayachee (South Africa), Aaron Cameron (Australia) |
| 47 | Supabarn | Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 | David Russell (Australia), Jonathon Webb (Australia), Theo Koundouris (Australia), James Koundouris (Australia) |
Bronze Class
A single entry represented the Bronze class, limited to drivers holding Bronze licenses to encourage participation from less experienced racers.[26]| Car # | Team | Make/Model | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | Ross Poulakis (Australia), Josh Hunt (Australia), Jonathan Hui (Hong Kong), Kevin Tse (Hong Kong) |
Invitational Class
The Invitational class comprised five diverse entries outside the GT3 structure, including production-derived sports cars and GT4 machinery, showcasing local innovation and international prototypes.[26]| Car # | Team | Make/Model | Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Nineteen Corporation | Mercedes-Benz AMG GT4 | Mark Griffith (Australia), Fabian Schiller (Germany), Christian Pancione (France) |
| 50 | MMotorsport / Vantage Racing | KTM X-Bow GT2 | Trent Harrison (Australia), Jayden Ojeda (Australia), Glen Wood (Australia), David Crampton (New Zealand) |
| 52 | Wheels / FX Racing | MARC II V8 | Keith Kassulke (Australia), Hadrian Morrall (Australia), Cameron McLeod (Australia) |
| 66 | Daytona Sports Cars | SIN R1 | Ben Schoots (New Zealand), Dylan Thomas (New Zealand), Shane Woodman (New Zealand) |
| 111 | 111 Racing / MRA Motorsport | MARC I Mazda | Darren Currie (Australia), Grant Donaldson (Australia), Geoff Taunton (Australia) |
Pre-race activities
Practice sessions
The practice sessions for the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour were held over February 3 and 4 at Mount Panorama Circuit, providing teams with a total of 4 hours and 40 minutes of track time across six sessions to fine-tune vehicle setups, test tire compounds, and experiment with aerodynamic configurations ahead of the endurance race. Friday's schedule featured four 40-minute sessions starting at 9:45 a.m., including two consecutive Bronze-rated driver-only sessions (Practices 2 and 3) alongside all-driver sessions to allow progressive development. Saturday's two 60-minute sessions at 8:35 a.m. and 10:50 a.m. were open to all drivers, enabling final adjustments under varying light conditions, including the transition toward night racing.| Session | Date/Time (AEDT) | Duration | Fastest Driver (Car #) | Vehicle | Fastest Lap Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Feb 3, 9:45 a.m. | 40 min | Chaz Mostert (#65) | Audi R8 LMS Evo | 2:04.0879s [28] |
| Practice 2 (Bronze only) | Feb 3, 11:05 a.m. | 40 min | Valentino Rossi (#46) | BMW M4 GT3 | 2:05.4486s [29] |
| Practice 3 (Bronze only) | Feb 3, 2:00 p.m. | 40 min | Kenny Habul (#75) | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2:05.3096s [30] |
| Practice 4 | Feb 3, 4:10 p.m. | 40 min | Raffaele Marciello (#999) | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2:03.9958s [31] |
| Practice 5 | Feb 4, 8:35 a.m. | 60 min | Matt Campbell (#912) | Porsche 911 GT3 R | 2:02.751s [32] |
| Practice 6 | Feb 4, 10:50 a.m. | 60 min | Luca Stolz (#75) | Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2:02.4337s [33] |
Qualifying
The qualifying sessions for the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour were held on February 4, 2023, at the Mount Panorama Circuit, determining the starting grid for the 24-car field of GT3 and invited vehicles.[34] The format consisted of two preliminary sessions: a 25-minute outing exclusively for Pro-Am and Silver class entries (designated as Qualifying Q4 for AM drivers), followed by a 40-minute session open to all competitors (Qualifying Q5 for Pro and Pro-Am classes). Lap times were aggregated where required by class regulations, with the overall fastest ten cars advancing to the Pirelli Top Ten Shootout—a 30-minute session divided into two 15-minute groups to crown the pole position.[34][35] Invitational class cars ran on separate timing and did not factor into the GT3 grid-setting.[36] Held under dry conditions with an improving track surface following earlier practice sessions, the preliminary qualifying emphasized strategic tire allocation, as teams preserved fresh rubber for potential shootout runs while pushing for advancement.[37] In Qualifying Q5, Maro Engel delivered the session's benchmark lap of 2:01.0536 seconds aboard the #999 GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, securing provisional pole and advancing the car to the shootout.[35] The top ten overall qualifiers, combining times from both preliminary sessions, showcased strong Mercedes-AMG and Porsche representation, with Pro-Am and Silver entries filling key spots.| Position | Car # | Team | Drivers (Fastest Setter) | Class | Best Lap Time | Gap to Pole |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 999 | GruppeM Racing | M. Engel / R. Marciello | Pro | 2:01.0536 | - |
| 2 | 75 | SunEnergy1 Racing | J. Gounon / L. Stolz | Pro | 2:01.3210 | +0.2674 |
| 3 | 888 | Supercheap Auto Racing | B. Feeney / M. Goetz | Pro | 2:01.4359 | +0.3823 |
| 4 | 65 | Sportsbet Team MPC | C. Mostert | Pro-Am | 2:01.5647 | +0.5111 |
| 5 | 912 | Manthey EMA | M. Campbell / M. Jaminet | Pro | 2:01.6146 | +0.5610 |
| 6 | 32 | Team WRT | S. van der Linde / D. Vanthoor | Pro | 2:01.7072 | +0.6536 |
| 7 | 99 | Boost Mobile Racing | R. Stanaway | Pro-Am | 2:01.8933 | +0.8397 |
| 8 | 55 | FUCHS Lubricants Racing | F. Vervisch | Pro-Am | 2:02.0265 | +0.9729 |
| 9 | 46 | Team WRT | A. Farfus / M. Martin | Pro | 2:02.1258 | +1.0722 |
| 10 | 777 | The Bend MPC | C. Mies / R. Feller | Pro-Am | 2:02.4323 | +1.3787 |
Race
Race report
The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour commenced under clear skies at Mount Panorama Circuit on February 5, with Maro Engel in the #999 Gruppe M Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo leading from pole position right from the start.[40] Early battles in the Pro class intensified as the #912 Manthey EMA Porsche 911 GT3 R, driven by Thomas Preining, challenged closely, while the #888 Supercheap Auto Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, with Maximilian Götz at the wheel, maintained a strong position in the top three.[41] Teams initiated their first pit cycles for fuel and tires around the 40- to 50-lap mark, with the #999 retaining its lead through efficient stops, though the #75 SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo began to climb via strategic positioning.[42] As the race progressed into its middle stages, incidents disrupted the field, including an engine failure for the #55 Fuchs Lubricants Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the 10th hour, forcing its retirement after earlier radio and penalty troubles.[43] Spins occurred at high-speed sections like Conrod Straight, contributing to the race's five safety car periods that totaled just 16 laps under yellow, the fewest in the GT3 era and allowing for a longest green-flag run of 4 hours and 45 minutes.[6] Notable triggers included a spin by the #4 Grove Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R at McPhillamy Park around the second hour, a crash for the #44 Valmont Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Skyline in the fourth hour, and a #222 Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 impact at the Esses with five hours remaining, bunching the field and altering pit strategies.[41] These interruptions highlighted the track's unforgiving nature, with dry conditions persisting throughout and no weather-related holds. In the late stages, drama peaked in the 11th hour when Jules Gounon, leading in the #75, was contacted by Maro Engel in the #999 during an overtake attempt at The Chase, resulting in the #75 spinning off track but recovering without major damage.[44] Stewards issued a drive-through penalty to Engel for the incident, dropping the #999 back in the order and handing the lead to the #75, which pressed on aggressively.[42] The #75's strategy proved pivotal, employing a three-stop plan with double-stinted tires on the final stint to minimize time loss, contrasting rivals' more conventional four-stop approaches focused on fresh rubber.[45] The race concluded after 323 laps, covering a record distance of 2,006.79 km at an average speed of 167 km/h, underscoring the event's pace under dry conditions.[6] Throughout the endurance test, class-specific narratives added depth, with the Pro-Am category seeing intense competition led by the #65 Sportsbet Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS GT3, driven by Chaz Mostert, Fraser Ross, and Liam Talbot, who navigated traffic and stops effectively to stay at the forefront.[41] In the Invitational class, the #111 111Racing MRA Motorsport MARC I Mustang dominated, overcoming a qualifying crash to lead unchallenged after rivals faltered, securing class honors as the sole finisher in its group.[46]Results and standings
The 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour concluded with 28 GT3 and production cars starting the race, of which 21 were classified as finishers, while 7 did not finish (DNF) due to mechanical issues, accidents, or other retirements. The overall victory went to the #75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Pro class, completing 323 laps in a total time of 12:00:40.1193.[47]Overall Results (Top 10)
The following table summarizes the top 10 finishers, including car number, team, drivers, class, laps completed, gap to the leader, and fastest lap for each entry.| Position | Car # | Team | Drivers | Class | Laps | Gap/Time | Fastest Lap (Lap #) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 | SunEnergy1 | Kenny Habul / Jules Gounon / Luca Stolz | Pro | 323 | 12:00:40.1193 | 2:02.3438 (81) |
| 2 | 912 | Manthey EMA | Matt Campbell / Mathieu Jaminet / Thomas Preining | Pro | 323 | +0.9267s | 2:02.7747 (58) |
| 3 | 999 | Mercedes-AMG GruppeM | Maro Engel / Maximilian Grenier / Raffaele Marciello | Pro | 323 | +1.4177s | 2:02.3540 (13) |
| 4 | 32 | Team WRT | Sheldon van der Linde / Dries Vanthoor / Charles Weerts | Pro | 323 | +44.7457s | 2:02.8472 (32) |
| 5 | 888 | Supercheap Auto Racing | Shane van Gisbergen / Broc Feeney / Maximilian Götz | Pro | 322 | +17.2943s | 2:02.6947 (90) |
| 6 | 46 | Team WRT | Augusto Farfus / Maxime Martin / Valentino Rossi | Pro | 322 | +53.9999s | 2:03.0188 (56) |
| 7 | 65 | Sportsbet Team MPC | Chaz Mostert / Fraser Ross / Liam Talbot | Pro-Am | 321 | +1:46.2464 | 2:02.1683 (169) |
| 8 | 77 | Mercedes-AMG Craft-Bamboo | Daniel Juncadella / Philip Ellis / Nico Catsburg | Pro | 321 | +2:07.8163 | 2:02.6525 (146) |
| 9 | 777 | The Bend MPC | Christopher Mies / Rob Feller / Yasser Shahin | Pro-Am | 320 | +1 Lap, 37.9590s | 2:02.4775 (67) |
| 10 | 99 | Boost Mobile Racing | Jamie Whincup / Richie Stanaway / Jordan Ibrahim | Pro-Am | 319 | +2 Laps, 16.5846s | 2:03.5248 (298) |
Class Winners
- Pro: #75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Kenny Habul / Jules Gounon / Luca Stolz), 323 laps.[47]
- Pro-Am: #65 Sportsbet Team MPC Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 (Chaz Mostert / Fraser Ross / Liam Talbot), 321 laps.[47]
- Silver: #10 MYLAND Team IMS Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 (Dylan O'Keeffe / Daniel Gaunt / Andrew Fawcett), 316 laps.[48][47]
- Bronze: #101 Harrolds Volante Rosso M'Sport Mercedes-AMG GT3 (Ross Poulakis / James Hunt / Jonathan Hui / Kevin Tse), 310 laps.[49]
- Invitational: #111 111Racing / MRA Motorsport MARC I (Geoff Taunton / Darren Currie / Grant Donaldson), 283 laps.[47]
IGTC Points Allocation (Pro Class)
As the opening round of the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge, points were awarded solely to Pro class finishers using the series' standard scoring system of 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 for positions 1 through 10. With only seven Pro finishers, points were allocated as follows:| Pro Position | Car # | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 | SunEnergy1 | 25 |
| 2 | 912 | Manthey EMA | 18 |
| 3 | 999 | Mercedes-AMG GruppeM | 15 |
| 4 | 32 | Team WRT | 12 |
| 5 | 888 | Supercheap Auto Racing | 10 |
| 6 | 46 | Team WRT | 8 |
| 7 | 77 | Mercedes-AMG Craft-Bamboo | 6 |