Intercontinental GT Challenge - Bathurst 12 Hour - Anything possible at halfway point

Intercontinental GT Challenge - Bathurst 12 Hour - Anything possible at halfway point

With six hours gone in the 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round of the new Intercontinental GT Challenge, nothing is decided yet. Five cars are still on the lead lap of a race that has seen a lot of drama.

It was still pitch dark when polesitter Shane Van Gisbergen led the 36 car strong field away on Sunday morning. At the wheel of the #59 Tekno Autosports McLaren, Gizzy led the opening 32 laps of the race, claiming the outright lap record on Mount Panorama Circuit in the process, clocking a 2:01.567.

Things went not so well for the sister car of the Tekno Autosports team, when Rob Bell in the #60 McLaren had contact with David Russell in the #31 Team M-Sport Bentley. The rear suspension of the 650S was damaged and the car dropped outside the top-10.

More drama followed for the two MPC Audi's that managed to qualify on the front two rows of the grid, when both were hit by a spectacular puncture. On the #74 R8 the flailing rubber caused terminal suspension and oil cooler damage. The #11 Objective Racing McLaren did not make to the 3-hour mark either, after Warren Luff hit the wall on the top of the mountain.

Due to different pitstop strategies, first position often switched hands (we've had 14 leader changes so far), even though three of the cars in the leading pack had a bit of a scary moment: Alvaro Parente stopped the #59 Tekno Autosports McLaren for over half a minute with a suspected electronic problem, and at Erebus Motorsport the pit rig of the #36 Mercedes dropped on the car during a pitstop. Both could continue however, as could Steven Kane in the #10 Team M-Sport Bentley after nursing the car back when it had incurred a puncture just before the 5-hour mark.

Less fortunate were David Russell in the other Bentley and Patrick Simon in the #33 Mishumotors Mercedes, who both made contact after 5h20 - but in two separate incidents. For the SLS the race was over, the Bentley lost its place on the lead lap and dropped to 11th.

Where the fight for overall glory is far from decided, the battle among the drivers competing for the Intercontinental GT Challenge AM title is turning in favour of the #37 Keltic Racing McLaren of Tony Quinn: the car not only is 5th overall, but also has a five lap lead on the #32 Lago Racing Lamborghini of Roger Lago.

So six hours left in the Australian endurance classic, with all to play for. Watch the conclusion live on the Bathurst 12 Hour or Blancpain GT Series websites.

 
Results after 6 hours