Audi to race in Bathurst 12 Hours

Audi has announced that it will field a pair of its GT3-spec R8 LMS cars in February’s Bathurst 12 Hour event at the legendary Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales.

The German manufacturer’s entry will be run by Team Joest and the squad has signed experienced Aussies Craig Lowndes, Mark Eddy and Warren Luff to share one car, with Germans Marc Basseng and Christopher Mies joining Hong Kong’s Darryl O’Young in the second R8 LMS.

Lowndes in particular has huge experience at the 6.213km circuit having won the famous Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercar event five times.

“Racing in the Bathurst 12 Hour has been on the ‘to-do’ list for some time,” Lowndes said.

“Team Joest and Audi Sport have a reputation for being the best in the business, much like Team Vodafone in V8 Supercars, so when they rang it was impossible to say no! I’m excited to be joining the works Audi team for this race and to be teaming up with some great drivers like Mark and Warren.

“The R8 looks like a fantastic car and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel in February. Long distance racing is a great challenge, especially when you get to an amazing track like Bathurst, and it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to. It should be a great race.”


Andy Wilkinson

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