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.â€
The 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour will take place on 24–26 February.
[Source: Speedcafe]
