Audi Aussie Assault on Mount Panorama's Bathurst 12 Hours

By Tarek Ramchani :

The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hours race is approaching, taking place on February 26th. Running at the world famous Mount Panorama on the very demanding Bathurst circuit and forms parts of this years 24H Series (same as the Dubai 24 Hours). Audi will have three Audi R8 LMSs in this classic Aussie challenge.

Last year Audi achieved a fantastic 1-2 victory first time out with a very close finish, as the two cars battled all race long. The effort was run by Audi race experience Team Joest. Victory for car #8 with Christopher Mies, Marc Basseng and Darryl O'young. While the sister #7 R8 LMS finished in second with local drivers Mark Eddy, Warren Luff and V8 Supercars ace Craig Lowndes. A great double victory, for the R8 LMS debut.

Audi is of course aiming to defend last year’s win. Two factory supported Audi R8 LMS cars will be there. However, no more Team Joest this year for that target instead Phoenix Racing will lead the Audi efforts. The third additional Audi comes from the Anglo-Americans, United Autosports.

Phoenix Racing :

The German team is racing the Baturst 12 Hour enduro for the first time. The Nurburgring based team will field 2 factory supported cars. Both Audi R8 LMSs will have two unique special liveries for this Aussie challenge : a "Spider" white R8 LMS, while the sister car has a "Kangaroo" black livery.

The 2 cars will have very strong driver lineups. The #1 R8 LMS will have Audi regulars Christopher Mies, Darryl O'Young and Christer Jons. Mies and O'Young were both parts of the winning Audi car last year, while Jons will have his first attempt at Mount Panorama. Christopher Mies and Christer Jones raced last year with Audi in the ADAC GT Masters for team ABT Sportsline and some events in the VLN Endurance Series. Darryl O'Young did some races with Audi, but mainly competed in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

The sister #2 Audi will have a full "Aussie" lineup. Mark Eddy joined by Warren Luff and V8 Supercars legend Craig Lowndes. Mark Eddy is the 2011 Australian GT champion with team Penfold Audi Sport, a regular to the R8 LMS. Craig Lowndes of course is one of the strongest drivers at Mount Panorama, already a 5 times winner of the world famous Bathurst 1000K, the premier racing event in Australia. The same trio finished in a very strong second overall last year, just behind the winning car.

United Autosports :

The Anglo-American team United Autosports will field the third Audi R8 LMS. A truly privateer team, who raced with Audi the in last two seasons, mainly in the FIA GT3 European Championship, the British GT Championship and the Spa 24 Hours. United Autosports have already done 2 endurance events this year, both in the Middle-East. They raced two cars at Dubai 24 Hours with some misfortune and disappointing results. A week later at the Gulf 12 Hours they fought for the overall lead until some 40 minutes to go. Finishing in a very strong third outright.

For the 12 Hours of Bathurst, a single car is entered. The #22 Audi R8 LMS will be in hands of  Mark Patterson, joined by Alain Li and Frank Yu. Theoretically, the United Autosports effort isn't as strong as the one from Phoenix Racing, however the team is aiming to fight for the top spots and battling for a podium finish.

For many, Audi's double victory last year was too easy, maybe that's true with few entries in the top class. However this year, serious competition is ahead. No less than 10 cars are entering the top class A (GT3) targeting the overall victory. Opposition will come from Ferrari, AMG Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and Mosler. The other competitors are in the lower classes, mixing GTs and more production based Touring Cars, for a total of 31 cars on the entry list. The track is very challenging and quite narrow with its up hills and down hills, so serious traffic is waiting the fastest cars during this great race.

Here a review to the 2011 fantastic 1-2 Audi victory :

For more about the Bathurst 12 Hours race : www.bathurst12hour.com.au