A minimum time of 2:08.0s has been set for the 15 entries across classes A, B, and C for both qualifying and practice sessions, with any lap eclipsing this benchmark being disregarded from the results and the vehicle being penalised with 50kg of ballast for the remainder of the event.
Classes D, E, and I are comprised of slower vehicles which have proven incapable of reaching a time near 2:08.0s in previous years.
The rule is based around an abandoned policy from the 2011 Australian GT Championship, which was abandoned after the first three rounds after protests from several teams.
The 12 Hour will see the rule reimplemented as used in the 2011 race, and incorporated into the race's other unique qualifying procedures. This includes each vehicles qualifying time being formed by an aggregate of each of the car's three drivers' best qualifying times.
The policy encourages consistency, teamwork, and an ability to drive to a nominated time - all established elements of successful endurance racing. However, this means nothing to spectators wanting to see just how quickly the entrants can lap in qualifying and practice.
The potential of this year's entrants to generate exciting qualifying times was demonstrated when Allan Simonsen clocked an unofficial 2:04.956 overall lap record in his Ferrari 458 GT3 during practice in November 2011.
The 2:08.0s minimum lap rule does not apply during the race however, though drivers will be lapping according to a strict strategy aimed at travelling the furthest distance within 12 hours, rather than outright race pace.
The final entry list comprises 28 vehicles, 10 of which are international entries, and 14 professional drivers, making the 2012 race easily the most exotic since its 2007 return. Stay tuned for a detailed first-hand comprehensive account of the race on Monday.
The final entry list for the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour can be seen here.
The complete lists of 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour regulations can be found here.
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