Sporting an increase in the quality and, quantity of competitors, the event’s organisers have once again lured entries of significant substance from both Australia, and further abroad; with teams from the Netherlands, Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom having committed entries.

Although multiple factors (e.g. conflicting event schedules, business interests and opinions) have inhibited the event’s uptake of local competitors, in both GT and production touring classes, the 2012 event sees arguably the deepest, most diverse and, professional field in recent years.

With increased factory involvement in the fight for outright honours, and the emergence of multiple, high-calibre privateer entries, no less than four marques (Audi, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini) are represented in the battle for overall victory.

Audi return with two cars; the 'Spider' (Lowndes, Luff, Eddy) and the 'Kangaroo' (Mies, Jöns, O'Young). Photo: Audi

Returning to defend their 2011 title, reigning champions Audi will this time be represented via esteemed factory affiliate outfit, Phoenix Racing. Renowned for their consistent successes in Germany’s domestic touring and GT series, the Ernst Moser-led operation will make their circuit debut at the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour.

Although competing at Bathurst for the first time, Phoenix racing have enlisted the services of Audi’s successful core driving lineup from the 2011 12 hour; with Mies, O’Young, Lowndes, Luff and Eddy having been retained for the 2012 event.

Young AudiSport GT talent, Christer Jöns (widely known for exploits within ADAC GT) will partner Mies/O’Young in the #1 Audi; the 24-year old German assumes the position vacated by Marc Basseng’s omission; a change presumably enacted due to the event’s driver seeding regulations (stipulating a maximum of two ‘seeded’ or, professional drivers).

Bearing the most collectively experienced driving lineup (in regards to both circuit and vehicle knowledge), thoroughly proven machinery and, a record of consistent successes elsewhere, there remains little evidence to suggest Phoenix Racing won’t enter the 2012 Bathurst 12 Hour as firm contenders for outright victory.

Black Falcon (here on their 'natural' territory at the Nordschleife) enter for the first time. Photo: Black Falcon

Following a recent overall victory at the Dubai 24 Hour, German endurance outfit and Mercedes factory-affiliate, Black Falcon will also enter the 2012 event for the first time.

Headed by an entry consisting of drivers Jeroen Bleekemolen, Tim Slade, Peter Hackett, and Bret Curtis, the team’s primary lineup bears collective experiences in endurance (both GT and Prototype), touring, and open-wheel competition, contributing arguably the event’s most diversely skilled driving outfit.

Local drivers Slade (V8SC) and Hackett (AustralianGT) will significantly contribute valuable circuit knowledge to both the team, and fellow drivers, Bleekemolen and Curtis; both of whom will, despite lacking circuit knowledge, draw on their respective (and considerable) experience with similar endurance events.

Although fielding (two) entries of a collectively lesser experienced (and professional) nature than closest rivals Phoenix Racing, Black Falcon enter the 2012 event as a potential and, realistic threat to Audi’s established success at the 12 hour race.

Keep up with live coverage on the event on Twitter, Facebook and on the website during the Bathurst event.

Despite significant involvement on behalf of Audi (via Phoenix Racing) and Mercedes (via Black Falcon), increased commitment from a viciously competitive privateer contingent, renders the potential for either marque to effortlessly secure outright victory considerably unlikely.

Representing the majority of the GT field, privateer runners enter the 2012 event against the collective might of both Audi and Mercedes factory (affiliate) outfits. Although entering a class overshadowed by the successful reputations of both Phoenix Racing and Black Falcon, multiple privateer squads enter the event with ample offensive capabilities afforded by both machinery and driving talent.

Allan Simonsen returned from the test day with an outright track record in this Maranello Motorsports Ferrari and again teams up with Dominik Farnbacher. Photo: Bathurst 12 Hour

Local entries Maranello Motorsport, Lago Racing, and Consolidated Chem. Co. will spearhead an Australian assault on outright victory. While foreign privateer outfits Clearwater Racing (Malaysia) and United Autosports (Britain, United States) will also field single car Ferrari 458 and, Audi R8 LMS entries respectively, each with factory-afforded customer assistance.

Having enlisted the services of ace GT pairing, Allan Simonsen (Denmark) and Dominik Farnbacher (Germany), in addition local touring car legend John Bowe, Melbourne-based outfit Maranello motorsport has secured a lineup bearing considerable pace and circuit knowledge. With the squad fielding proven package in Ferrari’s 458 Italia, Maranello Motorsport emerges a significant contender for outright victory.

Queensland-based team, Lago Racing has also increased their level of commitment for the 2012 event. Following the achievement of a class (B) victory at the 2011 Bathurst 12 Hour, Lago Racing sought out proven GT3 machinery in the form of Reiter’s Lamborghini LP600 challenger. With the team having enlisted the services of talented local (V8SC development series) driver, David Russell, Lago Racing remains one of multiple local entries in contention for a well-placed finish.

Fielding the second of two (local) Lamborghini entries, Consolidated Chemical Co. will also enter a Reiter-developed package, the LP560 GT3. With a squad consisting of V8SC endurance driver, Cameron McConville and, endurance ace/Reiter factory driver, Peter Kox, the Ted Huglin-led outfit is one of many entries favoured for a top five finish.

Entering one of two Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 entries in the 2012 event, Malaysian-based outfit, Clearwater Racing emerge as a considerable threat to both factory and privateer competitors. With considerable potential in the team’s lineup of Baird, Griffin, and team-owner Mok Weng Sun, Clearwater Racing emerge as one of the event’s higher fancied privateer entries.

Following competitive showings at both Dubai and Abu Dhabi 24 Hour events, Anglo-American team United Autosports will also make their Bathurst debut at the 2012 12 Hour event. Despite having recently purchased a pair of Mclaren MP4-12C chassis, the squad continues its (customer) relationship with Audi, via the entering of a single R8 LMS entry.

United Autosports, pictured during the British GT Championship, bring a crew of gentlemen to try their hand at The Mountain. Photo: Jake Yorath

Renowned for star-powered appearances elsewhere, United Autosports will likely face difficulty with a lesser professionally (and, in regards to circuit knowledge) experienced lineup.

With the aforementioned entries fielding PRO/AM lineups, albeit in varying forms (as stipulated by event regulations), each outfit’s success relies on their ability to manage the capabilities of their respective designated (team-owner) amateur drivers. For certain outfits, this will no doubt present a significant hurdle. While others will likely approach the scenario with minimal difficulty.

Although represented to a lesser extent than in previous years, production-touring runners will collectively represent seven manufacturers (Holden, Ford, BMW, Mazda, Mini, SEAT, Subaru) across the event’s three touring categories. With BMW and Subaru entries emerging as likely favourites within their respective categories.

Despite a reported boycotting of the event having been coordinated by certain members of the local production-touring contingent (claimed to be the result of conflicting viewpoints concerning the event’s ethos), there remains a core group of confirmed, local touring teams, committed to providing an entertaining race for spectators.

Words: Jarryd Bermingham

Featured Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Toyota announced today their second TS-030 LMP1 for the World Endurance Championship and a line up of Briton Anthony Davidson, Swiss Sebastien Buemi and Japan’s Hiroaki Ishiura.  The news sees them join Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima, over the course of the season. Let’s take a look at those line ups…

Way back when the announcement was made that Wurz would be lead driver on the latest LMP project to commit to Le Mans racing, appreciative heads were nodding around the paddock, commending Toyota on an astute choice for the role.  The Austrian was known as an outstanding test driver in his Formula One days proved to be consistent and fast for Peugeot, a wise and cool head in an often heated garage.  His reward was a Le Mans victory with the diesel powered 908 in 2009, his second, and it is understandable that his kind of CV was sought by TMG who are desperate to reach the heights they missed out on with the GT-One in 1998 and ‘99.

Similarly, Nicolas Lapierre impressed for Oreca in strong showings throughout 2011; of particular note was a stellar performance at Sebring, on the way to victory in the year old Peugeot 908 HDi-FAP.  His is a star on the rise, and continues in a long line of impressive French sports car drivers.  Again, it was an astute choice from the team to take him on.

It was always likely that a Japanese driver would be involved in the project, and with his Toyota backing from Formula One and continued links with them in Formula Nippon and Super GT, Kazuki Nakajima was an ideal choice for the team.  Whilst his true potential perhaps didn’t come to the fore in F1 , he was runner up in the Nippon series in 2011.  Remember, too, that Allan McNish struggled to perform in Formula One and lightning Frenchmen Stephane Sarrazin failed to impress while testing in the ‘top’ category of four wheeled motorsport.

The second car certainly caused a stir.  When Peugeot shocked everyone (including their team, who were testing at Sebring as the announcement was made) by announcing their withdrawal from the sport, it left a number of top drivers kicking their heels.  Sebastien Bourdais and Nic Minassian (who in fact left before the felling of the team) stepped into the Dome , while others have been conspicuous only in their absence.  Until today, when Davidson was dropped back into a factory team, barely a month after being told he no longer had one.

The Briton may have a poor reputation in some parts of the sportscar world for his rather ungainly assault on Emmanuel Collard at Le Mans in 2010 (and his rather poorly worded comments that followed), but he has matured in the intervening time.  His performances for Peugeot in 2011 were excellent, including a virtuoso role at the Le Mans 24 Hours, where his pace (and consistency) was something to behold.  On top of that, his media presence, particularly in the UK, is very strong: a factor unlikely to have been ignored by TMG, who are going racing to promote their hybrid technology.  It makes no sense to layout out a huge sum of money on a tilt at Le Mans but tell no one about it.

On a similar note, Sébastien Buemi comes straight from Formula One and it remains to be seen whether the media attention will follow him totally into sportscars, his stock is still high after three years with Toro Rosso.  He is also a driver of considerable ability who has perhaps been denied an opportunity for great things in single seaters and comes to Le Mans with a point to prove.  Though this could prove to be a dangerous cocktail, his natural pace and consistency, shown on a regular basis in recent years, stands him in good stead to make a solid impression.

The final piece of the puzzle is another young Japanese, Hiroaki Ishiura, again a Super GT and F Nippon regular.  His presence in the car was assured when he was nominated for the slot as the entries for Le Mans were released, though it has to be said that his outings outside of Japan have been limited. He did make an appearance this season at the Nurburgring 24 Hours with the Gazoo (works) Lexus LF-A.

Do Toyota stand a chance at winning Le Mans?  Realistically, in 2012, they do not.  They cannot reasonably be expected to step straight in and become the second Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans in their first year back, but don’t rule them out for a good result at La Sarthe.  The line ups show a mature, forward thinking attitude to their Le Mans program, and their engine proved reliable onboard Rebellion’s Lolas in 2011.  For this season, though, don’t expect them to gun for Audi’s laurels immediately.

Words: Jake Yorath

Photo: Toyota