The endurance racing season got off to a slightly damp start at the Dubai 24h, with the race eventually being red-flagged for poor weather, before getting well and truly ignited by last weekend's thrilling Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Now, as the world's longest January seems to finally be over, sportscar fans cast their gaze to the southern hemisphere, and to the white-knuckle rollercoaster of the Mount Panorama Circuit and the infamous Bathurst 12h.

39 of the world's finest GT cars will take on the stunning 6.2km circuit that climbs a mountain whose native name, Wahluu, literally means 'young man's initiation place.' This race will certainly separate the wheat from the chaff...

You'll want to set an alarm

It doesn't matter whether you're 'Down Under' or whether you're elsewhere in the world, chances are you'll need to set an alarm at some point if you want to watch the entire 12 hour thriller.

Unlike other half-day enduros, like the Sebring 12h or Petit Le Mans, where the race starts in the day and finishes under the stars, the green flag is waved at Mount Panorama before the sun has even thought about showing up.

Local start time is 05:45 Sunday morning, which is 18:45 Saturday evening (GMT), so although it's easy to catch the start, staying awake to the checkered flag might have some of you setting up the coffee machine in your living room.

But don't worry, allow yourself a nap if you need it, just set an alarm for the last half hour (06:15) so you don't miss the usual nail-biting final act.

A spectacular spectrum of machines

One of the most fascinating features of modern day GT racing is the sheer number of shapes and sizes on display. The pinnacle of this has to be the current GT3 class, the premier class at Bathurst, which boasts models from around the world.

Name a famous brand and the chances are they probably have a car racing this weekend.

This makes it such an appealing event to watch, as it's not just Mercedes vs. Mercedes...ahem... but it's Merc versus Porsche versus Audi versus Aston Martin versus Bentley and more.

Photo: Porsche Newsroom Photo: Porsche Newsroom

Pro Tip: Have a look through the office entry list here and pick a car to back for the race, or failing that, pick a brand you want to see win and support all of their cars.

Beyond the GT3 class a handful of GT4 and invitational entries boost the numbers to a whopping 39 cars. It's also one of the only occasions you get to see the beastly MARC Mustang...damn that thing's scary.

It's seriously star-studded

An aspect that makes sportscar racing the most exciting discipline in the motorsports world is the sheer number of famous faces that take to the track at big events.

This weekend's Bathurst 12h is no different. A quick scan of the entry list shows Le Mans winners, Nürburgring 24h victors, Australian Supercars champions, ex-F1 stars, and even five-time IndyCar title holder Scott Dixon. You name it, someone on the grid has probably done it.

With talent levels high, the occasional incident really does prove how much of a ironman challenge this race is.

Events like this truly have the festival feeling, a certain celebration and a coming together from around the world. Isn't that just lovely?

Lots of strategy talk

The racing at Bathurst is typically a wheel-to-wheel, bumper-to-bumper, no holds barred affair. Imagine Anthony Joshua going twelve rounds with himself, in a ring that literally wants to ruin you and it's nearly 50℃ just to top it off.

With that in mind, one of the best ways to beat your competition is to out-smart them. Over 12 hours of up and down the mountain, teams will do everything to try and jump ahead in the pitstops.

Factor in the likelihood of multiple safety car interventions, the extreme heat that creates high tyre-wear, brake fade, the nuances of driver times, and rhythm-wrecking traffic, the race becomes a swashbuckling chess match at one of the most incredible circuits you'll lay eyes on.

Expect the commentary team to constantly be hopping in and out of the pitlane trying to get a grasp on what's playing out before them, and also expect some cool television work like the 'Pirelli Bunker'. Check this out:

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It'll come down to the wire

If you have a long-standing heart condition the Bathurst 12h might not be for you. The enduro typically comes down to the final ten minutes, throwing away the events of the previous 11 hours and 50 minutes and turning to a flat-out sprint for the flag.

As cars and drivers start to get a bit worn out in the final hour, safety car interventions become more and more regular. Although that might seem highly inconvenient, it normally has the affect of injecting ridiculous amounts of adrenalin into the race.

If you're a sports fan the thought of penalties or overtime is one that gets your blood pumping, and the final half hour at Bathurst will have you feeling exactly the same.

Last year the race was decided nine minutes to go, as the # 912 Earl Bamber Motorsports Porsche was locked in battle with the # 62 R-Motorsports Aston Martin. See it for yourself:

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Racing for a bigger cause

After the devastation of the recent wildfires in Australia, it goes without saying that the Bathurst 12h carries greater poignancy in 2020.

Mount Panorama is in New South Wales, the region of the country that has been at the wrath of terrible wildfires for much of January.

Hopefully the race will give something to those who have suffered loss in the terrible events of the last month, with race organisers donating to recovery appeals.