December 10, 2024
‘Thrilled‘ – Valentino Rossi returns to Australia for Bathurst race debut | MotoGP

The Bathurst 12 Hours, also the opening spherical of Intercontinental GT Challenge, will see Rossi joined by team-mates Augusto Farfus and Maxime Martin in a #46 BMW M4 GT3 run by the WRT squad.

Rossi, who raced an Audi last period, celebrated a podium end on his BMW debut in the modern 24 Several hours of Dubai, won by the sister WRT vehicle.

“I am quite pleased to go again to Australia, a region I love and where I used to go a couple of occasions a calendar year [when] in MotoGP,” stated Rossi, whose past Australian MotoGP race was in 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/check out?v=afi1jOqzrnQ

“I am totally thrilled to be finding Bathurst, which is a mythical observe which I have constantly wished to drive, and a single of my favourites on the simulator,” extra the Italian.

“This time it is going to be for true and I cannot hold out to be there. It will be a challenging race, starting very early and with a powerful discipline.

“I will be driving with Maxime and Augusto, who will be my workforce-mates in the Endurance Cup this year, so it is a incredibly good chance to commence doing the job with each other, and we will give our best to be competitive.”

Martin reported: “I’m delighted to be related once more with Augusto, whom I know for a extensive time, and to race for the 2nd time with Vale just after our podium in Dubai. The team is perfectly prepared and is aware of the race, so let’s see what we can do.”

The Mount Panorama Circuit – located in the hills of New South Wales, a few of hrs inland from Sydney – characteristics a natural, demanding 6.213km layout which includes some extensive straights and a really twisty portion all-around the mountain.

Group Principal Vincent Vosse said: “I really put Bathurst between the mythical tracks and races in our sports activities, alongside with Spa, the Nordschleife, Le Mans and Macau, one particular of individuals places where by you truly feel humbled by history and by the keep track of alone.

“Bathurst is particularly complicated and one particular exactly where the initial aim is merely to keep on keep track of.”

26 GT cars and trucks, with a potent global illustration, are entered in this year’s race.

Whilst Rossi ongoing competing in MotoGP until finally the finish of 2021, Covid constraints compelled the 2020 and 2021 Phillip Island functions to be cancelled.

Intercontinental GT Obstacle – Round 1
Bathurst 12 Hours, Australia: 3-5 February 2023

 
Timetable (Community time – CET -10)

Friday 3 February 2023
09:45-10:25 Practice 1
11:05-11:45 Follow 2 (Bronze drivers only)
14:00-14:40 Exercise 3 (Bronze motorists only)
16:10-16:50 Apply 4

Saturday 4 February 2023
08:35-09:35 Follow 5
10:50-11:50 Practice 6
12:45-13:10 Qualifying 1
13:55-14:35 Qualifying 2
 
Sunday 5 February 2023
05:45-17:45 Race (12 hrs)