“
We have achieved some
really sp
ething
pecial.” 2013 WINNER, BERND SCHNEIDER. EREBUS MOTORSPORT SLS AMG GT3: BERND SCHNEIDER / THOMAS JAEGER / ALEX ROLLOF.
WELCOME TO THE 12 HOUR The 2014 LIQUI-MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at Mount Panorama over the period 07 to 9 February, with the 12 Hour Race commencing at 6:15am on Sunday - returning to some pre-dawn running. 2014 represents the 12th time the Race has been contended (1991 to 1994 and 2007 to 2014). In 2014 the Bathurst 12 Hour continues to grow, attracting a sensational array of teams and drivers from Australia and around the world that include some of the very best in the business. Not just a 12-hour race, the event includes three support categories across the Friday and Saturday schedule including the Bathurst debut of the Radical Australia Cup, the HQ Holden's and Improved Production cars. Last year, more than 20,000 people attended across the three days and enjoyed a wide array of on and off-track activity, including hot lap sessions, a motorkhana and car & bike displays. Both Bathurst Regional Council and the NSW Government, through Destination NSW, continue to support the Event. This year drivers from around the world return to Bathurst or look to make their Mountain debut - and it's a 'who's who' of international GT racing, in particular. 2013 champions Erebus Motorsport are back with a two car attack, bringing the incredible Bernd Schneider back with them for a shot at back-to-back Bathurst victories. Against them, Phoenix Racing offer their strongest challenge since winning the race for Audi two years ago; their driver line-up includes triple Porsche Supercup champion Rene' Rast and the worlds best GT driver at the moment, Laurens Vanthoor.
Throw in names like Oliver Gavin, Patrick Long, Peter Kox, Matt Griffin, Alex Buncombe and Maximillian Buhk amongst a cast of thousands - and the best of the best from the GT world are on show. Add in the likes of World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff and British Touring Car Champ Gordon Shedden and you find a field of depth and quality unmatched in 12-hour history. It's not just the internationals, however; the V8 Supercar stars are back in record numbers, led by Craig Lowndes and defending Bathurst 1000 champion, Steven Richards. Will Davison, Rick Kelly, Craig Baird, Jason Bright, Warren Luff, Steve Owen and more offer the best representation from the V8 ranks yet! The brands have returned, as well - with factory involvement from Nissan (with the Australian debut of the incredible NISMO GT-R GT3) and a trio of little Factory Fiat Abarth 500s that pack surprising punch. There’s also the international racing debut of the MARC Focus - an ambitious international endurance racer made right here in Australia. For the first time since it's return in 2007, the race will be broadcast LIVE on free-to-air TV in Australia with SBS TV showcasing the final three hours live nationally. The internationally acclaimed Radio LeMans return to cover the race for their global audience, and will once again integrate with the local production to produce an impressive audio and visual live internet broadcast across the weekend. The LIQUI-MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour is promoted and organised by Yeehah Events in conjunction with Bathurst Regional Council.
12 HOURS BY THE NUMBERS 1991 - ALLAN GRICE / PETER FITZGERALD / NIGEL ARKELL (TOYOTA SUPRA) 1992 - CHARLIE O’BRIEN / MARK GIBBS / GARRY WALDEN (MAZDA RX-7 SP) 1993 - ALAN JONES / GARRY WALDEN (MAZDA RX-7 SP) 1994 - GREGG HANSFORD / NEIL CROMPTON (MAZDA RX-7 SP) 2007 - GARRY HOLT / PAUL MORRIS / CRAIG BAIRD (BMW 335I TURBO) 2008 - ROD SALMON / DAMIEN WHITE / GRAEME ALEXANDER (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO X) 2009 - ROD SALMON / DAMIEN WHITE / TONY LONGHURST (MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO X) 2010 - GARRY HOLT / JOHN BOWE / PAUL MORRIS (BMW 335I TURBO) 2011 - MARC BASSENG / DARRYL O’YOUNG / CHRISTOPER MIES (AUDI R8 LMS) 2012 - CHRISTER JONS / DARRYL O’YOUNG / CHRISTOPER MIES (AUDI R8 LMS) 2013 - BERND SCHNEIDER / THOMAS JAEGER / ALEXANDER ROLOFF (MERCEDES BENZ SLS AMG GT3)
15 - THE RECORD NUMBER OF SAFETY CAR INTERVENTIONS SEEN IN 2013. 43 - THE NUMBER OF LAPS RUN UNDER YELLOW IN 2013, ALSO A RECORD. 8.8 - THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF SAFETY CAR INTERUPTIONS SINCE 2007. 6 - THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEADERS EACH YEAR. 28 - THE RECORD NUMBER OF LEAD CHANGES (AT THE LINE) SEEN, IN 2011. 19 - THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF LEAD CHANGES SINCE 2007 6 - NUMBER OF DIFFERENT BRANDS TO WIN (TOYOTA, MAZDA, MITSUBISHI, BMW, AUDI, MERCEDES).
2:06.20 2
S
FASTEST TIME RECORDED IN QUALIFYING IN 2013 - BY LEE HOLDSWORTH IN THE EREBUS MOTORSPORT SLS AMG. ALLAN SIMONSEN WENT FASTER, HOWEVER ‘BROKE OUT’ OF THE MANDADED 2:06 BENCHMARK TIME.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TIMES THAT THE POLE-SITTING CAR HAS GONE ON TO WIN THE LIQUI-MOLY BATHURST 12 HOUR. (2007 & 2012). STEVE OWEN HAS SET THE FASTEST INDIVIDUAL TIME IN QUALIFYING ON THREE OCCASIONS - TWICE IN A MITSUBISHI AND ONCE IN A PORSCHE.
LAST AUSSIE DRIVERS TO WIN: JOHN BOWE, GARRY HOLT AND PAUL MORRIS. 2010. BMW 335i TURBO.
292
THE MOST LAPS COMPLETED BY A WINNING CAR (2011).
THAT’S A TOTAL OF 1,814.2KM COMPLETED IN 12 HOURS. THE LEAST NUMBER OF LAPS COMPLETED WAS ACHIEVED IN 2010 - AT JUST 202 (1255KM). IT RAINED, A TREE FELL DOWN. USUAL MOUNTAIN STUFF...
The B12HR provides an opportunity for domestic and international competitors to compete over 12 gruelling hours at one of the world’s truly iconic circuits. Already a name with some heritage, the B12HR provides both competitors and manufacturers the opportunity to participate on a level playing field. All classes compete under one set of Event sporting regulations however different technical regulations apply to differing classes. Control products for the 12 Hour Race are limited to tyres and fuel only. The 2014 Race has attracted significant interest from offshore with 12 international entries and more than 40 drivers from outside of Australia.
THE EVENT DETAILS
Class Structure
Radio Coverage
Class A - GT3 Outright Class B - GT3 Class C - GT4 Class D – Invitational (4001cc +) Class E – Invitational (3001 – 4000cc) Class F – Invitational (Up to 3000cc) Class I – Invitational (non Production)
The LIQUI-MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour Race will be broadcast live on 87.8 MHz around the circuit precinct. The race will also be broadcast in the Central West NSW region by 1503 2BS Gold AM. Television Coverage
Support Categories HQ Holdens (47 Entries) Radical Australia Cup (27 Entries) Improved Production (51 Entries) Live Streaming The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will continue to innovate as one of Australia’s leading motorsport events covered primarily on the internet. Live streaming will be available via the www.bathurst12hour.com.au website, plus the official event Facebook page and twitter account. Media There were approximately 100 journalists, photographers, camera operators and crew from around Australia who attended the 2013 Event.
The Television coverage for the Event will be as follows: Domestic: Final 3 hours of the race will be broadcast exclusively live on Australian free-to-air TV network SBS One. A post-produced show covering all of the race highlights will be shown on SBS Speedweek in the following weeks, with subsequent highlights also broadcast on Speed TV Australia. International: 3 Hour Program on NZ Sky Sports 3 Hour Program on Motors TV 3 Hour Program on Race World through Sky Sports in the UK (6M+ homes) and Fox Sports in the USA (20M+ homes). LIVE & FREE internet streaming provided via bathurst12hour.com.au across the weekend.
Event Attendance:
Volunteers
2013 Attendance Figures
More than 300 people from all over Australia volunteer their services to deliver the Event in roles such as track marshals, supply marshals, recovery marshals, fire marshals, gate officials, grandstand officials, media assistants, information booth attendants and much more. Volunteer training sessions occur in the week preceding the Event.
Friday Saturday Sunday Total
6,170 7,798 8,485 22,453
2012 Attendance Figures Friday Saturday Sunday Total
5,712 6,672 7,344 19,728
2011 Attendance Figures Friday Saturday Sunday Total
5,302 6,544 6,730 18,576
Ticketing Tickets are available from online booking retailer, www.trybooking.com – or via the Bathurst 12 hour website. $2 from every ticket purchased will be donated to the official event charity, Camp Quality.
Media Centre Opening times Thursday: Friday: Saturday: Sunday:
0900 to 1700 0600 to 1930 0600 to 1900 0500 to 2000
Economic Benefits The LIQUI-MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour is estimated to turnover approximately $10 million in the Bathurst economy when flow-on effects are taken into account. The Event is estimated to generate approximately $4 million in Gross Regional Product (GRP), $2 million in household income and 47 full time equivalent jobs when flow-on effects are taken into account. This represents approximately 0.3% of Bathurst’s GRP and approximately 0.4% of the City’s full time equivalent employment. The Event contributes more than 3% of the total value added and full time employment in the hospitality sector of Bathurst’s economy when flow-on effects are taken into account.
THE TRACK
ABOUT MOUNT PANORAMA: Facts courtesy of www.mountpanorama.com The Mount Panorama track is a public road for the majority of the year and as such regular road rules apply (incl.2 way traffic, 60km/hr speed limit). It is 174 metres from the bottom of the circuit (Pit Straight) to the top of Skyline, "as the crow flies". Race direction (during major events) is anti-clockwise. Mount Panorama is unique in its rural setting. There are over 40 private residences located around the circuit (inside and outside). Private businesses also exist on the Mount including: luxury accommodation, a winery, restaurant and fruit orchard. Several local sporting associations also use the Mount as a base for their activities, including the Sporting Shooters Association, Bathurst Rifle Club, Bathurst Gun Club, Panorama Motorcycle Club, and, of course, the Bathurst Light Car Club. The National Motor Racing Museum sits on Murray's Corner, showcasing an impressive array of motorcycle and car racing memorabilia from all over the country. Circuit Length: 6.213km Length of Conrod Straight = 1.916km Length of Mountain Straight = 1.111km Highest Point: 862m above sea level Grades of up to 1 in 6.13 KEY LAP RECORDS: Outright: Chris Gilmour (Dallara F307 Mercedes Benz) 2m04.6187 (8/05/2012) Bathurst 12 Hour: Allan Simonsen (Ferrari 458 GT3) 2m06.3311 (26/02/2012) Porsche Carrera Cup: Craig Baird (Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car) 2m09.4010 (07/10/2012) V8 Supercars: Jamie Whincup (Ford BF Falcon) 2m08.4651 (07/10/2007) Improved Production: Ray Hislop (Ford BF Falcon) 2m22.4885 (09/02/2013)
2013 RACE RECAP THE RECORD-BREAKING Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race ended with AMG Mercedes Benz team Erebus Racing triumphing at Mount Panorama. The soon-to-V8 Supercars team ‘international’ entry driven by Germans Alex Rollof, Thomas Jaeger and German Touring Car legend Bernd Schneider completed 268 laps (1665km) of Mount Panorama in a day that started off with record temperatures and ended in a torrential downpour. The race was a traditionally dramatic affair and the margin of victory – just over one lap – belied just how competitive the race was. The #36 Erebus entry led much of the race and despite not being the fastest car across the weekend, outlasted, outplayed and outwitted their rivals in a commanding performance that gave Schneider his second consecutive major endurance victory of the year – having won the Dubai 24hr recently.
Winners laps completed: 268 (approx 1665km) Polesitter: Erebus Motorsport Mercedes Benz SLS AMG (Tim Slade / Lee Holdsworth / Peter Hackett) Fastest Lap: 2m06.20s by Lee Holdsworth.
The result caps off a remarkable 18-month climb to the top of endurance racing for the Erebus outfit – the team having finished second in the same race twelve months ago. The 2013 race was interrupted by a record 16 -safety car periods, started in fine sunshine and ended in pouring rain. “I have been racing for 40 years, it has been a long time since I have had to learn a new circuit,” Schneider said. “It’s such a difficult place. On Friday when we had our first runs out there, we could not learn the circuit because of the traffic. You couldn’t learn the braking points if you always have cars in front of you. “When I jumped in the car for my first stint today I was really happy because the balance was very good and very consistent, I could push hard in the last 3 or 4 laps I did my quickest lap times. This is the key I guess. Once we had heavy rain I was not driving, it
“Weng insures the car, so I figured it was either goin shunt it wouldn’t matter!” - CRAIG BAIRD ON THE MASIVE FIGHTBACK TO SECO
was more like surfing down the hill and I was really happy that I could get back in the pits. “We have achieved something really special, especially since it’s the first time and such a difficult race.” The second Erebus Mercedes was a contender for much of the final race, before a miscue by driver Lee Holdsworth saw them make contact with another car on a late-race restart, dropping him from second to an eventual sixth place finish with co-drivers Tim Slade and Peter Hackett. A heroic performance from Clearwater Racing saw the Singapore-based Ferrari team go one position better than last year, their Ferrari 458 GT3 ending the day second after contending for much of the first half of the race. Lead drivers Craig Baird and Irish ace Matt Griffin were superb however contact by team owner Mok Weng Sung with another car mid-race saw the team drop of the lead lap – a lap they would never get back. Early in the race Griffin made up more than two minutes after an early safety car saw them ‘misplaced’ in the running order – costing them nearly a full lap that was skilfully recovered by the flying Irishman. Baird replicated his teammate’s efforts later in the race, a Bathurst stint of the ages lifting the car from being out of podium contention to back in the hunt – and eventually in contention for their eventual second-place finish. “The team were telling me that it was for third, not second, so I was going for it,” Baird said. “Weng insures the car so I figured it was either going to be in the wall or on the podium and if I had a shunt it wouldn’t matter!” Third were the quiet achievers of the weekend, the #5 VIP Porsche of Klark Quinn, Shane van Gisbergen and ring-in driver Matt Kingsley. With original third-driver Tony Quinn ruled out of competing after an earlier crash in his Australian GT-only entry, the team was forced to draft noted Porsche racer Kingsley – at the Mountain assisting clients with their own racing – into drive.
The pair held second within the last hour of the race however were hunted down and passed by the inspired Baird within the last half hour. Defending event champions Phoenix Racing finished fourth, whilst reigning 12-hour winning driver Christopher Mies helped the Australian Network Clothing / Hallmarc Audi R8 LMS Ultra to a strong fifth position overall. Defending Pedigree Class B (GT3) class champions Hunter Motor Sport defended their crown, Johnny Reid, Steven Johnson and Drew Russell finishing an outstanding 9th outright in their Porsche GT3 Cup Car. Dealing with the passing of his father on the Thursday of race week, Queensland driver Rob Thompson won his first 12-hour class in six attempts today, taking out Class C (Ryges GT4) with Liam Talbot and Romano Satori in his Lotus Exige. Parkes (NSW) team GWS Motorsport triumphed in a war of attrition in the V8 Race Production (High Performance) class, taking the glory after many of their rivals fell by the wayside. The result for Peter O’Donnell, Andre Heimgartner and Anthony Gilbertson came despite their car not officially qualifying for the race – the team having to apply for stewards dispensation to start after failing to qualify due to mechanical issues. 18th outright and first in Race Fuels class E (Production Performance) was the HSV Astra of Ivo Breukers, Morgan Haber and Damien Ward, whilst the factory entered Peugeot of Andrew Jones, David Wall and Bruce Jouanny finished first in Meguiar’s Invitational (1). The Seat Leon Supacopa of NZ team Motorsport Services won class I2, whilst Mal Rose achieved a dream today by winning I3 in his ex-V8 Supercar Holden. Rose, Aaron Tebb and Adam Wallis finished an amazing 12th outright in the first car that Jamie Whincup raced at Bathurst.
ng to be in the wall or on the podium and if I had a
OND BY CLEARWATER RACING LATE IN THE 2013 RACE.
2012 12 Hour Race Statistics
2009 12 Hour Race Statistics
2007 12 Hour Race Statistics
Winners laps completed: 270 (approx. 1,677 km) Pole Sitter: Mies/O’Young/Jons Audi R8 LMS Fastest Lap of Race: 2:06.33 by Alan Simonsen on lap 44 (Record) Entries: 27
2009 Winners Laps completed: 239 (1484.9km) 2009 Pole Sitter: Steve Owen - #96 Subabarn Supermarkets Mitsubishi Evo IX RS – 2:28.88 2009 Fastest Lap: #55 West Surfing Products Evo X RS (Crymp / Kostera / Ricciardello) – 2:29.98 2009 Entries: 48
2007 Winners Laps completed: 257 (1596.7km) 2007 Pole Sitter: Paul Morris - #20 Eastern Creek Karts BMW 335i Turbo – 2:32.13 2007 Fastest Lap: #20 Eastern Creek Karts BMW 335i Turbo (Holt / Morris / Baird) – 2:32.59 2007 Entries: 32
2011 12 Hour Race Statistics 2011 Winners laps completed: 292 (approx. 1,814 km) (Record) 2011 Pole Sitter: Lowndes / Luff / Eddy Audi R8LMS 2011 Fastest Lap of Race: Craig Lowndes (Lap 267) 2:09.0861 (Record) 2011 Entries: 26 2010 12 Hour Race Statistics
2008 12 Hour Race Statistics 2008 Winners Laps completed: 253 (1571.8km) 2008 Pole Sitter: David Wall - #43 Mitsubishi Evo IX RS – 2:30.31 2008 Fastest Lap: #43 Alan East Motorsport Mitsubishi (Wall/Wall/ Notaras/Symonds) – 2:30.70 2008 Entries: 35
2010 Winners laps completed: 202 (approx. 1,255 km) 2010 Pole Sitter: Steve Owen #96 Superbarn Supermarkets, Mitsubishi Evo X RS – 2:26.85 2010 Fastest Lap of Race: #62 Globe (Peter Hill/Eric Bana/Tim Leahey) 2:31.31 on lap 27 2010 Entries: 42
2014 LIQUI-MOLY BATHURST 12 HOUR Richard Craill - Media Manager richard@race-torque.com or 0408 813 141