Sportscar Racing News: Bathurst 12H Chaos & Driver Updates

Breaking Sportscar news: Bathurst 12H victory, driver changes, IMSA delays, and more. Stay up-to-date on the latest racing developments with GridPass.

Bathurst Chaos! Engel Claims Victory Amidst Intense Drama

UPDATE AS OF 8:30 AM ET

The Gruppem Mercedes-AMG team, spearheaded by Maro Engel, has clinched a dramatic and chaotic victory at the Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour! The race was red-flagged multiple times due to incidents, including a contentious collision between Jules Gounon and Kelvin van der Linde, leading to a heated exchange between the drivers. Despite the mayhem, Engel secured his long-awaited first Bathurst win, marking a truly unforgettable event.

WRT Final GTWC Europe Lineups Revealed

World Challenge is set for a thrilling season with WRT confirming their final entries. Notable changes include Pepper returning, alongside TCR racer Montenegro and FIA F2 driver Cordeel making a switch to sports car racing. This lineup promises intense competition across the series.

ACI Confirms Carrera Cup Lineup

ACI has announced their full driver roster for the Porsche Carrera Cup North America program. The defending Pro-Am champions will be fielding a five-car effort, showcasing a strong team and a competitive challenge.

Aron Suffers Back Injury in Bathurst Crash

Mercedes-AMG driver George Aron has suffered a back injury following a significant crash during the Bathurst 12 Hour. He’s seeking a meeting with race officials to address concerns about the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future. His recovery is now the priority.

Boccolacci’s Bathurst Charge

Dorian Boccolacci, driving for Porsche, delivered a stunning performance at Bathurst, securing a P2 overall finish and a Bronze class win. He described the drive as a ‘charge’ and admitted disbelief at the result, highlighting the challenging conditions and fierce competition.

Mueller Returns to GT300 with Seven x Seven Racing

Sven Mueller is set to make a return to the GT300 class in Japan, eight years after his last campaign with D'station Racing. He’ll be racing with Seven x Seven Racing, marking a welcome return for the experienced driver.

CarGuy MKS Adds Umegaki to Lineup

CarGuy MKS has secured Kiyoshi Umegaki to replace Rikuto Kobayashi for the Super GT season. Umegaki participated in the Sepang shootout, demonstrating his potential for the team.

Engel’s Long-Awaited Bathurst Win

After ten attempts, Maro Engel finally secured his first victory at the Bathurst 12 Hour. He described the win as ‘sweeter’ than any previous achievement, acknowledging the years of dedication and perseverance.

Gounon and Van der Linde Clash

Jules Gounon and Kelvin van der Linde engaged in a dramatic collision at Turn 1, sparking a heated exchange between the drivers. Gounon accused van der Linde of ‘bulls*** driving’ following the incident, highlighting the intensity of the competition.

Watch Bathurst 12H Highlights

Catch up on the best moments from Sunday’s Intercontinental GT Challenge season opener at Bathurst. Relive the action and excitement of this thrilling endurance race.

Gruppem Dominates in Chaotic Bathurst

The Gruppem Mercedes-AMG team ultimately prevailed in a wildly unpredictable race, showcasing resilience and strategic prowess amidst the chaos. Maro Engel’s victory is a testament to the team’s dedication and skill.

Bathurst Post-Race Notebook

John Dagys provides his insights and observations from the Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour, offering a detailed look at the race’s key moments and storylines.

IMSA Delays BMW M2 Racing Class Launch

The launch of the new BMW M2 Racing class at IMSA has been pushed back to the second Airbnb Endurance Challenge round in May. This delay will allow for further development and refinement of the class.

Sims and Catsburg Reflect on Bathurst Debut

Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg shared their thoughts on their memorable debut for JMR Corvette at the Bathurst 12 Hour. They praised the team’s performance and the challenging nature of the race.

Watch the Full-Length Replay of Bathurst 12H

Relive the entire Bathurst 12 Hour in its entirety, capturing all the action, incidents, and drama of this iconic endurance race.

IMSA, Laguna Seca Planning ‘Throwback’ Weekend

IMSA and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca are planning a ‘throwback’ weekend in May, honoring the series’ rich history and featuring a nostalgic theme.

Bathurst 12H Could Become GT3-Only

Shane Rudzis, event director for the Bathurst 12 Hour, suggests a potential evolution of the race towards a GT3-only format by next year, reflecting the growing popularity of GT racing.

Feller Joins Preining in Slimmed Manthey DTM Lineup

Manthey Racing has reduced its DTM lineup, swapping Guven for Feller in a two-car attack. This move signals a strategic shift for the team.

BMW Returns to GT300 Grid with Pacific Racing

Pacific Racing will be fielding a BMW M4 GT3 EVO in the GT300 class, with Yusuke Tomibayashi and Yuta Fujiwara sharing the driving duties.