Bathurst 12 Hour Race 2011 - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

Acid09 · 26 Dec 2010, 08:23

I´ve just stumbled across Audi PR announcing that two works-backed Audi R8 LMS will be entered in next year's Bathurst 12 Hour race.

The race is held on the first weekend of February, does anybody have any further info on this?

I found the official website (http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/) and had a look at the 2010 results and it seems that this years race was contested only by smaller touring cars and V8 Ute trucks and stuff like that.

Didn't they allow GT3s until now or was there no interest from GT teams to enter? I hope it's a rule change because Bathurst is a great track and it would be fun to have some GT3s racing there... no point watching if Audi runs in circles around touring car-only competition though...

Speed-King · 26 Dec 2010, 08:27

It was a production cars only race so far, so this is the first year they allow GT3s... from what I've read on the 10/10ths Aussie-board, there's a good deal of interest in the race from teams from the Australian GT-series, albeit a little less interest from the Mitsubishi Evo teams that used to dominate the race until recently.

AUSRSR · 26 Dec 2010, 10:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid09

I´ve just stumbled across Audi PR announcing that two works-backed Audi R8 LMS will be entered in next year's Bathurst 12 Hour race.

The race is held on the first weekend of February, does anybody have any further info on this?

I found the official website (http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/) and had a look at the 2010 results and it seems that this years race was contested only by smaller touring cars and V8 Ute trucks and stuff like that.

Didn't they allow GT3s until now or was there no interest from GT teams to enter? I hope it's a rule change because Bathurst is a great track and it would be fun to have some GT3s racing there... no point watching if Audi runs in circles around touring car-only competition though...

There will be a strong GT3 (Outright category.) The AGTC is absolutely booming here, we've seen a lot of new cars brought the the series over the past 2 years, we're almost seeing car model limits reached. 2010 model cars are being forced to make 25% or so more pit stops than 2009 spec GT3 cars in order to balance performance, as most of the AGTC field runs pre 2009 cars, but who knows, that might just be too much. Not sure how much quicker the 2010 spec cars are.

Should be a good field. I just hope everyone has got their **** together when it comes to blue flags, we've seen some absolutely horrific crashes this year in the AGTC, ones that are absolutely unnecessary and costing competitors a lot of money..

porsche91722 · 27 Dec 2010, 01:34

I'm just hoping that it escalates into a few more overseas works teams coming in the future. I've never been all that keen in going to the V8SC 1000k in October, however the idea of factory GT3, or dare I say GT2 cars (now that's getting a bit ahead of the game

), with some of the top factory pilots behind the wheel for a real endurance race at Bathurst, is mouth watering.
Craig Lowndes in one of the R8's in 2011 will be a drawcard.

Nick6 · 27 Dec 2010, 04:26

Now if they can just bring back the Bathurst 24H.

**GTRMagic** · 27 Dec 2010, 05:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

It was a production cars only race so far, so this is the first year they allow GT3s... from what I've read on the 10/10ths Aussie-board, there's a good deal of interest in the race from teams from the Australian GT-series, albeit a little less interest from the Mitsubishi Evo teams that used to dominate the race until recently.

Aussie Forum Thread Here

davehenrie · 4 Jan 2011, 06:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Aussie Forum Thread Here

My first exposure to Bathurst was when the Super Touring cars ran their own 24hr race separate from the V8s. Watching it on Speed Channel probably in the late '90s back before it became Nascar TV. The 24hr race had all the Aussie Super Touring cars but also many BTCC drivers pairing up with their Oz-mates. So it felt very international. I just 'assumed' that was the major race. (V8 Supercars didn't make it on Speed for another year or two after that)

dh

Acid09 · 18 Jan 2011, 17:34

Entry list:

http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/event-info/entry-list/

9 GT3s and a bunch of 997 GT3-Cups, alongside a few GT4s and touring cars.

Joest seems to be the only international team taking the trip though.

The event website reports that the full event coverage will be streamed live including commentary, should be fun to watch.

Speed-King · 18 Jan 2011, 17:41

Hmm, I'd been expecting a better field somehow... but the production car boycott seems to have been rather effective.

rich07 · 19 Jan 2011, 02:57

There is a fair number of GT3 cars in Australia but I guess the cost of running a 12hr race is too much for a lot of people. Hopefully Joest have a good race and go back to Europe and spread the word and next year the race is being moved to avoid clashing with the Dubai 24 to get more competitors from that race down here.

RoeDent · 19 Jan 2011, 23:14

Does the race actually start at 6.15am local time?

Sheep Stations · 20 Jan 2011, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoeDent

Does the race actually start at 6.15am local time?

Yes, pretty dark when the cars will do out-lap and warm up. First couple of laps in half light until sun shows over the Blue Mountains...assuming it's a sunny day.

**FIRE** · 5 Feb 2011, 19:53

Race is underway.

Live stream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bathurst-12-hour

http://www.ten-tenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123814

Acid09 · 5 Feb 2011, 21:52

Beautiful footage of a stunning track, great live streaming as well..some other events could learn from that *cough* *cough*

Shame that there's no real competition for the Audis though..

Simmi · 5 Feb 2011, 22:05

Enjoying seeing the Audi's blast round. It's just about holding my attention.

Welcoming AmericanLeMansFans refugees.