Porsche entries primed for iconic Bathurst 12 Hour

Making their competitive debut on the mountain, Chinese squad Phantom Global Racing partners with Timo Bernhard’s Team 75 Motorsport for the famous enduro. Three talented young drivers will be at the wheel of the #13 car, with 2020 Bathurst 12 Hour Pro-Am runner-up Jaxon Evans, 2023 Porsche Supercup champion Bastian Buus, fresh off his Asian Le Mans Series debut, and Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) race winner Joel Eriksson up for the challenge.

Meanwhile, legendary team Manthey Racing will field two cars, with the iconic ‘Grello’ returning to Bathurst in the hands of a full Pro line-up. 2019 race winner and 2020 polesitter Matt Campbell is joined by two-time 24 Hours of Spa winner Laurens Vanthoor and Ayhancan Güven, who is set for his first appearance at Mount Panorama Circuit in the #912 machine.

The German squad’s Pro-Am car will race under ‘The Bend Manthey EMA’, and features former Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Alessio Picariello. Porsche Supercup race winner Harry King and two-time GT World Challenge Asia Pro-Am champion Yasser Shahin complete the line-up in the #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (991.2).

Due to numerous unforeseen logistical circumstances, HubAuto Racing has been left with no choice but to regretfully withdraw from the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour.

Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific has a strong recent history at the event, which is well-known for its pre-sunrise start. Earl Bamber Motorsport took a dramatic victory in 2019, with Campbell making a daring late overtake to secure Porsche’s first win at Bathurst. The Australian was involved again a year later, securing pole position for Absolute Racing. Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific also entered a Team Carrera Cup Asia car into the 2018 event, with PCCA racers Chris van der Drift, Andrew Tang, Evan Chen and Paul Tressider at the wheel.

Mount Panorama Circuit, despite being renowned for its natural beauty, will be far from a relaxing experience for the drivers taking it on. The 6.213-kilometre track features 174 metres of elevation change between its highest and lowest point. Its two straights, both over a kilometre long, offer ample chance to overtake, with the 1.1km Mountain Straight presenting a crucial battle for the inside line as competitors jostle for the best position to begin their ascent at Turn 2. Elsewhere, the tight and winding section at Turns 11-18 tests both a driver’s technical ability and concentration.

The event is set to begin on Thursday 15th February, with the race getting underway on Sunday 18th at 05:45 local time. 

Bastian Buus, Phantom Global Racing: "Bathurst 12 Hour has been on my bucket list for a long time. It's a truly unique race on a legendary track with some incredible scenery. I'm eager to start working with Phantom Global Racing, together with Jaxon and Joel."

Joel Eriksson, Phantom Global Racing: "I’m proud to be taking part in the iconic Bathurst 12 Hour on the amazing Mount Panorama Circuit. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to compete in this event and to finally get this great opportunity with Phantom Global Racing is an incredible feeling. It will be a new track and team for me, but I can’t wait to get started.”

Jaxon Evans, Phantom Global Racing: "I’m extremely excited to team up with Phantom Global Racing for the Bathurst 12 Hour, one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world. With the technical support of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, I’m confident that we can challenge for the highest honours."

Matt Campbell, Manthey EMA: “I'm excited to be rejoining EMA Motorsport and Manthey for the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hours. It's one of my favourite events and tracks in the world. I might be a bit biased, but I really enjoyed last year and I hope we can improve one more position on our second place finish. I'm really looking forward to it.”

Yasser Shahin, Manthey EMA: “The Bathurst 12 Hours is Australia's greatest race and our number 911 car will showcase the new partnership with Shell V Power. It's probably the only event on home soil where the Bend-backed team has yet to win, so we'll be looking to change that with a strong performance and driver pairing. Harry was incredibly fast in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia at Bathurst and Alessio is a recognised world-class driver. We are very well prepared for the race and will give it our all.”

Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “I’m excited to see our customers back in action for the Bathurst 12 Hour. It’s a highly prestigious event at a beautiful yet challenging location, Mount Panorama Circuit. It’s a difficult track for the entire field, but our strong performances here in recent years give us confidence ahead of the race. I wish all those competing the best of luck, and I look forward to seeing some impressive racing on display this weekend!”