Is the Mitsu Evo up for three in a row at the Bathurst 12 Hour?

Is the Evo still the king, or since this year's Bathurst 12 Hour, has another road rocket emerged to knock off its crown as the gun affordable production car.

The all-wheel-drive Mitsubishi proved unbeatable in 2008 and 2009, but the showroom class is a moving feast.

But as in past years, organisers have kept out the expensive exotics by using a loose $140,000 price ceiling.

The February 12-14 summer timing means the Bathurst 12 Hour showroom showdown enduro will again kick-start the 2010 Australian motor sport year.

Organisers are targeting a 50-car grid after a field of 48 cars started the 2009 Race.

"This will be the fourth year the race has been promoted at Bathurst since the re-birth of the 12 Hour in 2007, and every year the event gains more credibility with the public, manufacturers and competitors," event promoter James O'Brien explained.

O'Brien says the popular production-based concept has been retained for the 2010 race albeit with a simpler nine-class structure and definitive eligibility list.

Highlighting the changing face of motoring, manufacturers have the opportunity to profile alternate energy vehicles such as diesel, LPG or hybrid in a special class.

The Bathurst 12 Hour will again be shown on the Seven Network in a three hour post-produced programme, with replays on Fox Sports, and internationally through Europe, North America and New Zealand.

Vehicles racing in both the New Zealand and Australian Mini Challenge and V8 Ute categories will be eligible and the Invitational class will be open to cars that fit the philosophy of the 12 Hour, while not necessarily eligible for the Australian Manufacturers Championship. These include the Audi S4 and S5, Chev Camaro, Lexus IS-F, Lotus Exige, Ford Mustang and Nissan 350Z Track.

Garry Holt/Paul Morris/Craig Baird won the 2007 Bathurst 12 Hour in a BMW 335i Twin Turbo, while Rod Salmon and Damien White claimed back to back victories in 2008/09 driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10.

The B12 Vehicle Eligibility List can be found at www.bathurst12hour.com.au with the class structure as follows:

Class A High Performance (All Wheel Drive)
Class B High Performance (Rear Wheel Drive)
Class C Performance
Class D Production (Sport)
Class E Production (Small)
Class F Alternative Energy
Class G Mini Challenge
Class H V8 Utes
Class I Invitational