Supercars Events bring specialist experience to Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour

In a landmark agreement for GT Racing in Australia, Supercars Events, in partnership with Bathurst Regional Council, has acquired the rights to manage the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour Event at Mount Panorama from 2016, bringing its specialist major events expertise to the growing fixture.

Supercars Events (operating as a business of V8 Supercars), Yeehah Events and Bathurst Regional Council agreed to the acquisition this week with the collective vision of growing the international race significantly into the future.

"Yeehah Events' James O'Brien and his team have done a fantastic job to establish the event and we are very proud to be able to add our expertise to take it to the next level," V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton said.

O'Brien said he was pleased Supercars Events, which manage the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and many of Australia's largest major events, would significantly enhance the race he revived in 2007.

"It has been an interesting journey and an event I am proud of," O'Brien said. "The work and dedication of so many stakeholders, not least the officials and volunteers, has been humbling.

"The Liqui-Moly 12 Hour is now ready to establish itself as a major international endurance event, however to achieve this it needs an organisation with the right resources. Supercars Events is the right team to realise our vision and continue what we began all those years ago."

Mayor of Bathurst Regional Council Cr Gary Rush said Supercars Events' enduring relationship with Council would ensure the region would have two of the world's best motorsport weekends.

"Council is excited to be entering into a new arrangement for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour and we look forward to being involved in the continued growth of the event.

"We have been a partner in the 12 Hour with Yeehah Events from the start and this is another step in the evolution of the event which has firmly established itself on the motorsport calendar.

"Mount Panorama is an iconic motor racing precinct and the growth and increasing popularity of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour together with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 can only be positive for both our city and motorsports in Australia, and provide a boost to not only our local economy but that of NSW.

"James O'Brien had a vision and passion for the Bathurst 12 Hour and we thank him for that commitment."

Warburton confirmed V8 Supercars would not hold a pre-season test day at the Bathurst event. The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will remain as an International GT race in its current format.

Seven will broadcast next years' Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour Sunday race and the event will also be streamed live online. The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour runs from February 5-7.