2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour - Cars & Stars to tackle the mountain
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2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour - Cars & Stars to tackle the mountain

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By Shannons - 21 January 2015

SOME OF THE best cars and drivers from around the world will tackle the 2015 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 hour this February 6-8.  

A bumper field of the world’s finest GT vehicles will assemble in Bathurst for the around-the-clock enduro with an incredible field of cars and stars seeking victory in Australia’s international endurance race.

Defending champions, Melbourne-based Maranello Motorsport, will return to defend their crown with an upgraded Ferrari 458 Italia in an effort to claim a rare Bathurst back-to-back.

Their drivers include former Ferrari F1 star Mika Salo, Australian V8 ace Tony D’Alberto and the man famous for playing ‘The Stig’ on Top Gear – Ben Collins.

However Maranello are unlikely to have an easy path to back-to-back Bathurst wins with a host of local and international teams lining up to take a shot at the prancing horse.

Double Bathurst 12 Hour winners Audi are back with a strong attack made up of a mixture of local and international teams and drivers.

Headlining the German brand’s attack will be the Phoenix Racing squad from Germany who are brining a two-car team and a host of works drivers Down Under in an effort to get back on top of the podium for the first time since 2012.

Their driving attack includes ex-F1 racer Markus Winkelhock, LeMans 24 Hour winner Stephane Ortelli and, remarkably, Austrian ‘extreme athlete’, Felix Baumgartner.

Baumgartner created history when he set world records for freefall height and speed during the Red Bull Stratos project several years ago, quite literally jumping from space back to Earth at more than the speed of sound.

He began racing recently and finished in the top-10 of last year’s Nurburgring 24hr race in Germany.

Amongst the host of Audi’s on the grid – there are seven entered in the outright class – star drivers include four-time LeMans winner Oliver Gavin, double Bathurst 12 Hour winner Christoper Mies, Queenslander V8 and GT ace, Warren Luff and Tasmanian legend Greg Crick.

Former Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour winners Erebus Motorsport have gone for youth over experience in their pair of thundering Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG entries, naming six young drivers spread across their two cars.

The ‘lead’ entry will be helmed by reigning Australian GT Champion Richard Muscat, gun enduro co-driver Dean Canto and Jack LeBrocq.

The teams’ second car will include two of the fastest ever drivers around Bathurst – Formula 3 graduates Simon Hodge and Nathan Morcom – plus 16-year-old American teenager Austin Cindric.

Cindric is the son of Team Penske boss Tim and has impressed in the early days of his career in the United States.

David Brabham (Bentley), factory Porsche star Patrick Long (Porsche), triple Bathurst 1000 champion Steven Richards, John Bowe, Craig Baird and two-time 12 hour winner Darryl O’Young are amongst the talent-packed driving roster.

The 55-car entry list includes 30 outright cars in the GT3 category, with those expected to be split evenly between the ‘ProAm’ and ‘Gentlemen’ categories.

Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bentley and McLaren make up the cars in the outright field.

Four additional classes will ensure the grid is filled with variety – head to www.bathurst12hour.com.au for a full breakdown of the complete entry list.

There will be more access to the event for everyone in 2015 – especially those not able to make the pilgrimage to the Mountain for the February 6-8 weekend.

The Seven Network will carry live coverage of the entire race, split between 7mate and Channel Seven on Sunday, February 8.

Meanwhile fans around the world will be able to follow the coverage via the comprehensive live stream at the 12-hour website – featuring commentary from the renowned Radio LeMans crew.

Tickets remain on sale at www.bathurst12hour.com.au with patrons advised to purchase online for savings compared to tickets purchased at the gate.

Head to www.bathurst12hour.com.au for all the breaking news, or follow the Event on social media (facebook.com/bathurst12hour or @Bathurst12hour on Twitter) to stay up to speed. 

Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.