Category: Bathurst 12 Hour

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Bathurst 12 Hour News

Bathurst 12 Hour expands live streaming

Audi R8 LMS

Followers of the Bathurst 12 Hour will know its internet coverage has been a strong point. Indeed, as the event builds on its reputation each year, live streaming has been the best and pretty much only way to stay in touch.

This year access to the live stream will be expanded. Details are yet to be announced but race organisers say “several other sources” will host the live stream “broadening the reach of the coverage”.

Remember, the final 90 minutes of the Bathurst 12 Hour are planned to be broadcast live this year on Foxtel’s Speed channel, pending coverage of the World Superbike round at Phillip Island on the same weekend.

AUSmotive will be trackside at Bathurst on 25–26 February, so if you can’t be there, as well as keeping an eye on the live stream, make sure you follow AUSmotive on twitter for all the latest.

[Source: Bathurst 12 Hour | Thanks to Mike for the tip]

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi unveils 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour liveries

Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS, 2012 Bathust 12 hour

Factory-backed Phoenix Racing has revealed the liveries for its two Audi R8 LMS racecars which have been prepared to be defend Ingolstadt’s honour at the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour race later next month.

The Australian-based crew of Craig Lowndes, Warren Luff and Mark Eddy will race in the white R8 featuring a large redback spider. While the overseas crew of Christer Jöns (Germany), Christopher Mies (Germany) and Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong) will tackle Mount Panorama in the black R8 warning of kanagroos for the next 6km.

The Bathurst 12 Hour takes place over the weekend of 24–26 February and will see live coverage of the closing stages of the race for the very first time.

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Bathurst 12 Hour

Bathurst 12 hour now with live TV coverage

Audi R8 LMS

Bathurst 12 Hour organisers today announced the 2012 race will have live television coverage for the closing 90 minutes on pay TV channel Speed.

The 12 Hour broadcast will start after the live coverage of the World Superbike event at Phillip Island on the same weekend. It’s expected the Bathurst broadcast will start at 4:45pm on Sunday 26 February and will remain with the race until the chequered flag.

“The Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour is fast becoming one of the premier endurance races on the motorsport calendar,” Speed Channel Manager James Harrison said.

“It is an exciting development for Speed to be involved in live coverage of the Event. February 26 is going to be a massive day of live motorsport on Speed with the NASCAR Nationwide series race from Daytona, the World Superbikes from Phillip Island – and the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour is the perfect way to cap off the day.”

Event director James O’Brien is satisfied the Bathurst 12 Hour continues to grow in momentum and says live TV is next step forward. “We have been targeting a live component on TV for some time and we are thrilled to be working with the Speed Australia team next year,” O’Brien said.

We also hear there is a very good chance the German-based outfit Black Falcon Racing will be bringing at least one of their Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 racecars to Bathurst for the event.

Add that to the return of current title holders Audi and an increased effort from Ferrari and we’re getting an event that will have increased competition for outright success. And that’s a win for everyone.

An official promo for the Bathurst 12 Hour can be seen after the break.

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi confirms 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour lineup

Audi R8 LMS

Audi has confirmed its car and driver lineup for the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour. The race takes place on 24–26 February 2012 and will again see two factory-backed R8 LMS cars at Mount Panorama to defend their title.

Defending winners Darryl O’Young (Hong Kong) and Christopher Mies (Germany) return and will be joined by Christer Jöns (Germany). The second R8 LMS will be the same all-Australian lineup of Craig Lowndes, Warren Luff and Mark Eddy that raced together in February this year.

Managing the two cars will be Phoenix Racing, making their debut at Bathurst and they have big boots to fill after the one–two success enjoyed by Audi Sport experience Team Joest.

The gauntlet has well and truly been laid down by Allan Simonsen and his Ferrari 458 GT3. And with the growing appeal for overseas teams, the 2012 12 Hour is shaping up as the strongest yet.

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Ferrari 458 GT3 ‘smashes Bathurst lap record’

Allan Simonsen, Ferrari 458 GT3, Mount Panorama

Official word of Allan Simonsen’s new lap record at Bathurst has come through from Ateco Automotive, importers of Ferrari into Australia, confirming the new benchmark of 2:04.956 set in the 458 GT3.

Simonsen, who will race a Ferrari 458 GT3 at the Bathurst 12 Hour next year, said afterwards, “This car is damn fast! Given this is our first test, it’s certainly nice to break the lap record finally and we did it in style.

“The power and the chassis are so complementary and I’m feeling really comfortable in the car and with the team.

“These new generation cars are all going to have a fast pace, and there’s no doubt the (Bathurst) 12 Hour is going to be very fast and incredibly competitive – it’s an event I’m definitely looking forward to on the calendar.”

It certainly looks as though the Bathurst 12 Hour is being taken more seriously by high-level European teams. That’s great news for local motorsport fans.

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Bathurst 12 Hour Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 breaks Bathurst lap record

Ferrari 458 Italia GT3

A Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, similar to the one pictured above, broke the lap record at Mount Panorama during the Sprint Bathurst event held on the weekend. Danish driver and endurance specialist Allan Simonsen set a fastest lap of 2:04.956, some 1.85 seconds faster than Craig Lowndes’ previous record time of 2:06.801.

Formula One driver Jenson Button, driving a McLaren MP4-23, posted a much quicker time around Bathurst in March this year. However, the promotional event was not officially timed and so his 1:48 lap is not recognised as an official record.

Simonsen was taking part at Sprint Bathurst in order to prepare for the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour race.

UPDATE 15 November: Click HERE for the official word.

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Bathurst 12 Hour News

Bathurst 12 Hour goes from strength to strength

Audi R8 LMS

It’s less than two years since the Bathurst 12 Hour race was chasing a naming rights sponsor, but new plans to widen eligibility have organisers hoping the race will become a regular stop on the worldwide endurance calendar.

Already the race has attracted interest from the Audi factory team, no doubt to return in 2012 to defend their one-two victory earlier this year. And after striking a deal with Dutch company Creventic—promoters of the Dubai 24 Hour, Barcelona 24 Hour and Hungary 12 Hour—Bathurst promoters hope freight assistance packages will encourage more overseas teams to Mount Panorama.

Bathurst 12 Hour event director James O’Brien says, “This is another step forward in establishing the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour as one of the premier international endurance races.

“In our first year including GT vehicles in the eligibility structure, we attracted six international entrants including three from New Zealand, one from Ireland and the two-car Audi Race Experience team from Germany that would go on to finish 1-2 in the race.

“We would hope that the result of this partnership is an increase of between 8-12 international entrants in the 2012 race to complement a stronger domestic grid.”

The 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour will take place on 24–26 February.

[Source: Speedcafe]

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi R8 LMS Bathurst 12 hour image gallery

Audi R8 LMS

We’ve already brought you word that the Audi R8 LMS claimed a one-two victory at the 2011 Bathurst 12 hour. Now, after the break, you can read Audi’s official brag sheet from. Also included are over 40 images from the event.

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Audi R8 wins 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

2011 Bathurst 12 hour

The factory-backed Audi assault on the Bathurst 12 hour has borne fruit with the team crossing the line in first and second place. The only major drama faced by the Audi R8s was which car would cross the line first.

The #8 car, with Darryl O’Young at the wheel, was leading by just under a minute with around 10 minutes left to race when it needed to pit for a quick fuel stop. However, O’Young was able to maintain his winning position and rejoined the race with 15 second margin.

In the end, despite Craig Lowndes setting a new Bathurst 12 hour lap record (2:09.0861), the Australian crew in car #7 had to settle for second place and a dream finish for the Audi team.

Claiming the final podium place was the #29 VIP Petfoods Porsche GT3 R led by Tony Quinn. A cracking result from a local team that has solid European enduro experience.

A three hour highlights package of the race is scheduled for broadcast on OneHD at 7:30pm, Saturday 19 February (check your local guides).

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Bathurst 12 Hour

LIVE STREAM: 2011 Bathurst 12 hour

2011 Bathurst 12 hour

The Bathurst 12 hour has been running for around three hours now and if you want to keep up to date with the live action you can do so right here on AUSmotive.

Currently the two Audi R8 LMS cars are leading the race, with the #8 car in front and the #7 polesitting car close behind.

Live timing for the event can be seen HERE and you can also follow the race via twitter using the #12hour hashtag.

Take the jump to watch the live stream.

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Don’t forget the Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst this weekend

Audi R8 LMS

We’ve already brought you the news that Craig Lowndes, five-time winner of the Bathurst 1000, will be racing an Audi R8 LMS at the Bathurst 12 hour race this year. Just like the cars above which filled the first four positions on the grid at last year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race. In case you may have missed the news first time around, Audi has just sent out a new press release.

Lowndes will be joined by Warren Luff and Mark Eddy in the #7 Team Joest entry, which will be boasting green and gold Australian themed paintwork for the race.

Further showcasing the wonderful support from Audi Motorsport they will be bringing another R8 LMS from their overseas base. Car #8 will be driven by Germans Marc Basseng and Christopher Mies as well as Hong Kong-based Briton, Darryl O’Young.

Follow all the action via the official race website.

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Audi Bathurst 12 Hour

Craig Lowndes to drive factory Audi R8 LMS at Bathurst 12 hour

Team Audi Penfold

Some ripping news for local Audi fans, with word from Speedcafe telling us that Audi Race Experience Team Joest will be sending two 2010 spec R8 LMS machines to compete in the 2011 Bathurst 12 hour.

Team Joest is effectively the Audi factory team responsible for the company’s nine Le Mans 24 hour victories. This is big news for local endurance racing. Lowndes will be joined by fellow V8 Supercar driver Warren Luff and Australian GT racer Mark Eddy. Of course, Eddy is already known to Audi after competing this year at the wheel of a 2009 spec R8 LMS (pictured above).

The second R8 will be crewed by Audi sportscar regular Marc Basseng, WTCC driver driver Darryl O’Young and 2009 FIA GT3 European Champion Christopher Heis. As you can see Audi means business.

“Racing in the Bathurst 12 Hour has been on the ‘to-do’ list for some time,” said five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Lowndes. “The R8 looks like a fantastic car and I can’t wait to get behind the wheel in February.”

The 2011 Bathurst 12 hour is scheduled for the weekend of 4–6 February.

[Source: Speedcafe]