The Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst in Australia is widely regarded as one of the most unique and challenging racing tracks in the world.

Organisers of the WPS Bathurst Showroom Enduro, a 12-hour production car race to be held at Bathurst in February 2009, are inviting drivers from the USA, Europe, Asia and New Zealand to compete at the iconic circuit.

The cars used in the WPS Showroom Enduro are production based models showcasing the latest in high performance vehicles, and in a class structure representative of today’s road going market.

“For many years the 12 hour endurance race was the highlight for production car drivers in this country and I’m keen to seen the WPS Bathurst Showroom Enduro regain such status,” said Event Director James O’Brien.

“By extending an invitation into the American, European and Asian markets we hope to be able to offer the opportunity for a number of drivers from various parts of the globe to come and race at one of the best circuits in the world at an affordable price.”

Last year’s event attracted in excess of 100 drivers across 37 entries from various parts of Australia and New Zealand with the Mitsubishi Evo 9 of Damien White, Graham Alexander and Rod Salmon taking the victory.

A total of 22 different models of cars competed in the 2008 event ranging from the Subaru WRX Sti’s and Mitsubishi Evo’s in the High Performance All Wheel Drive category through to a Proton Satria GTI in the under 2.5 litre production class. Also contesting last year’s event was the Thompson Alfa Romeo team in the Eco Diesel categories.

A three-hour highlight package of the 2009 WPS Showroom Enduro will be telecast across Australia on the Seven Network and on Race World through the Sky Sports Network in the UK and Fox Sports in the USA. There will also be a two-hour replay of the event shown throughout New Zealand on TV3 and the Sky Channel.

International drivers are now eligible to compete in the WPS 12 Hour Showroom Enduro under revised FIA licencing regulations, which allow a foreign competitor to hold a minimum of the highest grade National Licence issued by their local ASN together with an authorisation issued by that ASN for the event.

This is a significant change from previous Bathurst 12 Hour events were International drivers were not eligible.