The 2026 Bathurst 12H at the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia delivered drama, endurance and a standout performance from Porsche’s customer racers as the Intercontinental GT Challenge got underway for the season.
In an event that tests both driver and machine over 12 grueling hours on the 6.213-kilometre mountain circuit’s unforgiving mix of steep climbs, fast straights and tight corners, High Class Racing achieved a breakthrough result with their Porsche 911 GT3 R. Starting way back on the grid after a tough qualifying session, the team fought their way through the field to finish second overall — an incredible achievement that also secured them victory in the Bronze class against strong competition.
Driver trio Dorian Boccolacci, Anders Fjordbach and Kerong Li were rewarded for a flawless and strategic race. Having begun the iconic endurance challenge in 32nd place, they steadily climbed the order throughout the race and seized their moment in the closing stages, crossing the line just over a second behind the race winners. This performance was all the more impressive given this was their first time at the demanding Mount Panorama layout.
Strong Showing from Porsche’s Pro Lineup
The 2026 Bathurst 12H at the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit in Australia delivered drama, endurance and a standout performance from Porsche’s customer racers as the Intercontinental GT Challenge got underway for the season.
In an event that tests both driver and machine over 12 grueling hours on the 6.213-kilometre mountain circuit’s unforgiving mix of steep climbs, fast straights and tight corners, High Class Racing achieved a breakthrough result with their Porsche 911 GT3 R. Starting way back on the grid after a tough qualifying session, the team fought their way through the field to finish second overall — an incredible achievement that also secured them victory in the Bronze class against strong competition.
Driver trio Dorian Boccolacci, Anders Fjordbach and Kerong Li were rewarded for a flawless and strategic race. Having begun the iconic endurance challenge in 32nd place, they steadily climbed the order throughout the race and seized their moment in the closing stages, crossing the line just over a second behind the race winners. This performance was all the more impressive given this was their first time at the demanding Mount Panorama layout.
Strong Showing from Porsche’s Pro Lineup
Five 911 GT3 R machines represented the marque in the uphill battle down under, including two professional crews:
- Absolute Racing featured a strong driver lineup with factory driver Matt Campbell, Belgian ace Alessio Picariello, and rising star Bastian Buus. After a promising start, their race was compromised by early incidents and strategic calls that cost them momentum, but they still brought their Porsche home in a solid sixth place.
- At Earl Bamber Motorsport, the trio of Laurin Heinrich, Klaus Bachler and Ricardo Feller worked their way forward from the back of the grid to finish within the top ten following a race long battle that showcased their resilience.
Elsewhere in the Porsche ranks, Herberth Motorsport’s GT3 R also delivered a strong drive to claim an eleventh-place finish, underlining the depth of Porsche’s customer racing efforts.
A Classic Endurance Battle
The Bathurst 12 Hour isn’t just a race — it’s a spectacle. From sunrise to sunset amid unpredictable traffic, safety car phases and changing track conditions, the event brought out the best of GT3 competition and highlighted the durability and pace of the Porsche 911 GT3 R against a stacked international field.
For Porsche fans, seeing customer teams such as High Class Racing rise to the challenge and deliver a podium performance is a thrilling reminder of the brand’s global motorsport strength — especially as the IGTC season gets underway.
Edited Porsche Factory Press Release
Pictures & Video courtesy Porsche AG
