Three Ford Focus V8s have been given the green light to race in the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour following the addition of a fourth invitational class.
Based on the South African GTC concept developed by Pace Innovations, the Ryan McLeod-run cars feature a purpose built chassis fitted with Focus bodypanels, a 5.0 litre Ford Coyote engine and an Albins transaxle gearbox.
McLeod will run the cars in a variety of endurance events around the world next year following their debut at Bathurst and says that, like in the GTC series, a mix of bodystyles will eventually be seen.
McLeod, whose team will soon receive its second complete chassis from Pace Innovations, hopes that several young drivers will be amongst his large Bathurst crew.
“Jake Camilleri, Keith Kassulke and Damien Ward have all been part of our program before and will be part of it next year,” he said of the driving line-up.
“We’re also currently negotiating with several young drivers to be part of the program.
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“In the past young drivers like Chaz Mostert, Scott Pye and Ash Walsh have been involved and we are keen to expand the young driver platform and blood new drivers.”
A revised 50 car entry list has been released by race organisers today, up six from that seen in August.
A second Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG from reigning race winners Erebus Motorsport is the most high profile addition.
Victorian state-level team Vicious Rumour Racing has also joined the field, adding a fourth Ferrari 458 GT3 to those entered by Maranello Motorsport, AF Corse and Clearwater Racing.
Other additions consist of a second Type 997 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Indiran Padayachee and a similar entry for GT3 Cup Challenge front-runners Copyworld Motorsports.
Maranello has this week confirmed its full driving squad, with Finn Mika Salo returning alongside John Bowe, car owner Peter Edwards and new-for-2014 recruit Craig Lowndes.
Five more entries will be taken before the event reaches its grid capacity cut-off.
Race organisers announced earlier this month that the 12 Hour will enjoy live free-to-air television coverage in 2014 for the first time since its return in 2007.
See below for the latest entry list
| CLASS | ENTRANT | NATIONALITY | VEHICLE |
| A | Erebus Motorsport | Australia | Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 2012 |
| A | Erebus Motorsport | Australia | Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 2012 |
| A | Clearwater Racing | Singapore | Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 2013 |
| A | VIP Holdings | Australia | Porsche GT3 R 2013 |
| A | Mark Eddy / Marc Cini | Australia | Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2012 |
| A | Roger Lago | Australia | Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2012 |
| A | Trofeo Motorsport | Australia | Chevrolet Callaway Corvette Z06R GT3 |
| A | M Motorsport | Australia | Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 2012 |
| A | AF Corse | Italy | Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 2013 |
| A | Maranello Motorsport | Australia | Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 2013 |
| A | United Autosports | UK | Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2012 |
| A | United Autosports | UK | McLaren MP4-12C 2012 |
| A | Nissan Motorsports International | Japan | Nissan GTR NISMO GT3 2013 |
| A | Rod Salmon | Australia | Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2012 |
| A | Absolute Racing | China | Audi R8 LMS Ultra 2013 |
| A | Haribo Racing Team | Germany | Porsche GT3 R 2013 |
| A | Vicious Rumour Racing team | Australia | Ferrari F458 Italia GT3 2013 |
| B | Prosurv Racing | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY08 |
| B | Dean Koutsoumidis | Australia | Audi R8 LMS 2011 |
| B | Grove Motorsport | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| B | Indiran Padayachee | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| B | Indiran Padayachee | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| B | Andrew Macpherson | Australia | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S |
| B | Motorsport Services | New Zealand | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY06 |
| B | Motorsport Services | New Zealand | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY06 |
| B | Motorsport Services | New Zealand | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY06 |
| B | Richard Gartner | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY07 |
| B | Paul Abbott | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY06 |
| B | James Koundouris | Australia | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S |
| B | Competition Motorsports | USA | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| B | McElrea Racing | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| B | Copyworld Motorsports | Australia | Porsche 997 GT3 Cup MY11 |
| C | Tony Alford | Australia | Nissan GTR R35 |
| C | Mortimer Motorsports | New Zealand | BMW M3 GT4 |
| C | Motionsport | UK | Lotus Exige |
| D | Ric Shaw | Australia | Mazda RX7 Turbo |
| D | Anthony Gilbertson | Australia | BMW M3 E46 GTR |
| D | Beric Lynton | Australia | BMW M Coupe 1 Series |
| D | Sam Chester | Australia | Mazda RX7 Turbo |
| D | Dean Herridge | Australia | Subaru WRX STi |
| D | Michael Benton | Australia | Ford Falcon GT |
| D | Richard Bendell | Australia | Daytona Sportscar Coupe |
| E | Motorsport Services | New Zealand | Seat Leon Supercopa |
| E | Motorsport Services | New Zealand | Seat Leon Supercopa |
| E | Richard Billington | New Zealand | Seat Leon Supercopa |
| F | Fiat Chrysler Group | Australia | Fiat Abarth 500 |
| F | Fiat Chrysler Group | Australia | Fiat Abarth 500 |
| I | Racer Industries | Australia | Marc GTC Focus V8 |
| I | Racer Industries | Australia | Marc GTC Focus V8 |
| I | Racer Industries | Australia | Marc GTC Focus V8 |
