BMW has revealed an all-star line-up in its two Professional class entries for the two February race across the clock, in what could possibly be the ultimate showdown of the massive three German marques on the Bathurst 12 Hour.
WRT has named Augusto Farfus and van der Linde brothers Sheldon and Kelvin to drive the #32 M3 GT3 whereas Valentino Rossi, Raffaele Marciello and Charles Weerts will share the #46 entry.
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With the cutback in Audi’s assist within the GT3 class, the Bathurst race stands out as the final time that the three German makes face off within the Australian basic, which has been received by every of the manufacturers.
Audi received the primary two races run to GT3 rules, in 2011 and 2012, and once more in 2018 when Robin Frijns, Dries Vanthoor and Stuart Leonard received for WRT which was, paradoxically sufficient, on the time a factory-supported Audi staff.
Mercedes-Benz received for the primary time in 2013 with Erebus Motorsport, earlier than Kenny Habul, Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz received twice for SunEnergy1 Racing, in 2022 and ’23 (Martin Konrad additionally shared the driving within the 2022 victory).
Porsche has received the occasion twice, with native driver Matt Campbell successful each occasions, alongside Dirk Werner and Dennis Olsen for Earl Bamber Motorsport in 2019, then with Ayhancan Güven and Laurens Vanthoor final yr.
Feeney makes late Bathurst 12 Hour bid with Audi
Broc Feeney, Triple Eight Race Engineering Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Photograph by: Edge Photographics
In the meantime, the probabilities of an Audi win within the Bathurst 12 Hour simply took a significant step, with affirmation of a Professional R8 LMS Evo II within the Professional Class.
Jamec Racing and Workforce MPC will run a automobile for Supercars star Broc Feeney, 2024 Nurburgring 24 Hours winner Ricardo Feller and GT World Problem Australia champion Liam Talbot.
The deal got here collectively late within the day after Jamec Racing’s Steven McLaughlin and MPC’s Troy Russell determined to run the automobile, regardless of Audi’s resolution to maneuver away from its assist of the GT class.
“Initially we weren’t going to run – previously, we now have had assist from Audi, nevertheless sadly they’ve wound down their manufacturing facility assist globally,” McLaughlin mentioned.
“The Audi was fairly robust internationally all through 2024, and as soon as we knew we may safe Ricardo Feller, we have been capable of put this program collectively.
“We all know what he is able to on the Mountain and we have been solely thinking about operating if we have been in with an opportunity to win the race. We’re not there to make up the numbers.”
Feeney, 22, has made 4 begins within the occasion, taking fifteenth outright and a category win in 2020, then third, fifth and sixth outright, all in Mercedes automobiles, for Triple 8 from 2022-24.
“It is an excellent alternative to get laps earlier than the beginning of our season at an enormous occasion and one in every of my favourites,” mentioned Feeney, who completed second within the 2024 Supercars championship behind team-mate Will Brown.
“After I spoke with Troy [Russell, MPC co-owner], we have been each on the identical web page and we did not need to waste time doing it until we may go there and battle for the win. With the drivers, the staff and the automobile, we now have each alternative to get some nice outcomes.
“It has been tremendous final minute, however they’re tremendous assured of their package deal and I am excited.”
Satirically Feeney shall be racing in opposition to Brown, who will associate Chaz Mostert and Daniel Serra in a Ferrari 296 GT3, in addition to fellow Supercars drivers Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and Craig Lowndes in a Mercedes-AMG.
The entry signifies that MPC will now discipline two automobiles, the Professional entry operating alongside a Hallmarc Racing Bronze R8 for Marc Cini, Lee Holdsworth and Dean Fiore.
On this article
Phil Branagan
Supercars
GT
Broc Feeney
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