The 2025 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour witnessed a standout performance from Arise Racing, with its Ferrari 296 GT3 entries combining speed, reliability, and strategic brilliance at Mount Panorama.
The team’s dual-car effort in the Pro-Am class yielded a class victory for car #777 and a strong fourth-place finish for car #888, cementing Ferrari’s growing reputation in Australian endurance racing.
Ferrari 296 GT3 Performance Analysis
The Maranello-built machines showcased remarkable consistency across the grueling 12-hour contest. Car #777, driven by James Moffat, Jayden Ojeda, and Garth Tander, completed 318 laps of the 6.213km circuit, averaging a lap time of 2:06.842 across changing track conditions.
| Metric | Car #777 (Class Winner) | Car #888 |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Position | 5th (Pro-Am) | 8th (Pro-Am) |
| Fastest Lap | 2:03.812 | 2:04.109 |
| Pit Stops | 28 | 29 |
| Total Laps | 318 | 316 |
| Final Position | 1st (Pro-Am), 6th Overall | 4th (Pro-Am), 9th Overall |
The #777 crew’s victory came despite intense pressure from factory-supported Mercedes-AMG and Porsche entries, with Garth Tander’s triple stint at dawn proving crucial. His consistent 2:04 lap times during cooler morning temperatures allowed the team to gain track position while managing tire wear.
Race Strategy and Key Moments
Arise Racing’s success stemmed from meticulous planning and bold decision-making. The team opted for an unconventional three-stop strategy during the first safety car period, banking on later cautions to balance tire and fuel requirements.
This gamble paid dividends when a late-race incident involving a GT4 McLaren triggered another full-course yellow, allowing car #777 to build a 30-second class lead.Car #888 faced greater challenges, with David Reynolds reporting intermittent power steering issues during his middle stint.
However, the crew’s swift diagnosis and adjustment of the Ferrari’s electronic power steering map minimized time loss, demonstrating the team’s technical proficiency.
Technical Challenges and Solutions
Mount Panorama’s unique demands tested both man and machine. The Ferraris’ brake systems endured particular stress, with rotor temperatures peaking at 800°C during the 300km/h descents of Conrod Straight.
Arise Racing’s engineers countered this by implementing a revised brake cooling package during Friday practice, reducing pad wear by 40% compared to 2024’s event.
Traffic management proved equally critical, with the 45-car field creating constant battles through the Mountain’s technical sections. Both Ferrari drivers emphasized the 296 GT3’s improved low-speed traction compared to previous years, particularly through the Dipper and Forrest’s Elbow complexes.
Competitive Landscape
The Pro-Am class featured one of the most diverse grids in Bathurst 12 Hour history. Arise Racing’s Ferraris outperformed several factory-assisted entries, highlighting the team’s operational excellence.
| Competitor | Result | Key Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-AMG GT3 | 2nd Pro-Am (+2 laps) | Fuel calculation error |
| Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO2 | DNF (Electrical) | Alternator failure |
| BMW M4 GT3 | 3rd Pro-Am | Brake fade |
| McLaren 720S GT3 | 5th Pro-Am | Gearbox sensor fault |
The victory marked Ferrari’s first Pro-Am class win at Bathurst since 2019, ending Mercedes-AMG’s three-year dominance in the category.
Driver and Team Reactions
Garth Tander, a three-time Bathurst 1000 winner, praised the Ferrari’s endurance capabilities: “The 296’s drivability over double stints was phenomenal. We could push hard while managing tire degradation better than our rivals.”
Team principal Sam Walter highlighted the strategic elements: “Our data team’s predictive modeling of safety car periods gave us a 0.8-second per lap advantage in pace management. This win validates our investment in simulation technology.”
Implications for Future Events
Arise Racing’s Bathurst success has reshaped expectations for the 2025 Intercontinental GT Challenge. The team now leads the Pro-Am standings, with upcoming rounds at Suzuka and Indianapolis likely to favor the 296 GT3’s high-speed stability.Key takeaways for competitors:
- The Ferrari’s hybrid-assisted powertrain provides critical acceleration out of slow corners
- Reduced tire wear enables longer stints on Mount Panorama’s abrasive surface
- Strategic flexibility remains crucial in safety car-dominated events
Arise Racing’s Bathurst 12 Hour performance signals a new era for privateer teams in global GT3 competition. By combining cutting-edge technology with veteran racecraft, the squad has demonstrated that well-prepared independent entries can challenge manufacturer-backed operations. As the 296 GT3 continues to evolve, its Bathurst triumph positions Ferrari as a serious contender in endurance racing’s Pro-Am hierarchy.
