GruppeM Racing has become the first international team to commit to 2022’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour after also confirming a full-season Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli entry with Mercedes-AMG.
The Hong Kong-based squad won the inaugural Suzuka 10 Hours in 2018 before first tackling Mount Panorama a year later. The 2022 event will be its third appearance in Australia’s International Enduro with Mercedes-AMG.
GruppeM has been a perennial contender for 12 Hour honours since finishing third on debut with Maximilian Buhk, Raffaele Marciello and Maximilian Goetz. The trio started on pole position and were in contention throughout the day before ultimately grabbing a spot on the podium – winning over the local fans with their instant competitiveness in the process.
The team went one better in 2020, starting third but finishing second on the road behind the winning Bentley – though a 30-second post-race penalty for a pitstop infringement dropped Buhk, Marciello and Felipe Fraga to a still-strong sixth in the final classification.
Now it’s hoping to make a strong start to 2022’s IGTC’s campaign, which begins at Bathurst on February 25-27.
“This will be our third attempt at Bathurst 12 Hour. We love the place,” said GruppeM team owner Kenny Chen.
“The track is great, it always gives an exciting race and the Aussie fans always give tremendous support, so the atmosphere is fantastic.
“In 2019 we came third, in 2020 we came second on track but were given a 30-second post-race penalty. For 2022 we are going for the win!
“Furthermore, we are looking to take the whole IGTC title. For 2022 we are expanding, with IGTC complementing our DTM challenge. We are very happy to be working with Stephane, Benjamin and the SRO team once again for IGTC.
“We know that even with the hurdles that Covid-19 creates, the great people at both Supercars and SRO will make Bathurst a huge success.”