McLaren wins record-setting Bathurst 12 Hour

A new race record distance, an outright lap record, five brands in the top five and the most changes of leader in the history of the race… The 2016 Bathurst 12 Hour will go down as a watershed running of what is now cemented as an iconic event on the international GT3 calendar.

The form guide pointed towards the Tekno McLaren of Shane van Gisbergen after a stunning pole position – and proved to be correct.

Partnered with Jonathon Webb and McLaren factory driver Alvaro Parente, the Kiwi crossed the line after 12 hours and 297 Laps, 1.2sec ahead of the Nismo GT-R of defending champs Katsumasa Chiro, Florian Strauss and Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercar driver, Rick Kelly.

After also leading the race in the middle stages, the Bentley Continental GT3 of Guy Smith, Steven Kane and Matt Bell finished third ahead of the comeback kings of the event, the aptly named Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS driven by Markus Winklehock, Aussie Alex Davison and R8 fast man, Laurens Vanthoor.

The relative calm of the closing laps belied a tense and see-sawing race that saw a record number of lead changes.

Nismo’s Chiyo couldn’t repeat the 11th hour charge of 2015 but went down swinging recording the car’s fastest lap of the event on the 296th circuit of the Mt Panorama track.

Fifth placing went to the Erebus Mercedes-AMG SLS GT3 of David Reynolds, Thomas Jaeger and Nico Bastian. The last remaining Erebus, Reynold’s Benz was one lap adrift of fourth place.

van Gisbergen got serious early and set the fastest ever race lap at Mt Panorma on lap 23 – at 2:01.567, the lap shades the very fastest Supercar laps at the Mountain.

The Kiwi McLaren’s win was not without drama, however. With teammate Parente at the wheel and with more than two-thirds of the race to run, the winning 650S GT3 rolled to a stop on Pit Straight. Fortunately for the trio, the car fired again and did not again falter.

motoring.com.au will publish a full race report and extended results in our Monday morning motorsport wrap.