2023 Liqui Moly 12H
Posted on February 3, 2023 Tags: Bathurst 12H
Habul to Defend Bathurst
Array of Magnificent Machinery
REIGNING CHAMP KENNY HABUL is back this weekend to defend his Bathurst Liqui Moly 12-hour title in a brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT3, just airfreighted in, under his familiar #75 SunEnergy1 Racing banner.
Sydney-born Habul joins 2022 winning teammates Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz in his SunEnergy1 entry, prepared and serviced by the Akkodis ASP (AKKA) operation from France.
The Liqui Moly event effectively launches an exciting year of Australian motorsport, following last weekend’s opening round of the Shannons SpeedSeries at Symmons Plains, Tasmania.
“The Bathurst 12-hour is one of the best events in the international calendar and one of the best racetracks in the world. I have had very few moments in my racing life that were as special as standing on the top step of the podium there last year!”
Kenny Habul
Growing up sweeping the workshop floors of nine-time Bathurst 1000 winner Peter Brock, Habul described his 2022 victory as one of the “greatest moments” of his life.
He later moved to Canada and the US, where he has built one of the leading commercial solar energy companies, Sun Energy 1, based in North Carolina.
But 44-year-old Habul has maintained his Australian roots and a passion for his home country’s motorsport.
He actually owns Peter Brock’s ninth and final Bathurst 1000-winning Commodore which he has sitting in his North Carolina office complex, and he recently purchased a large property on Conrod Straight at the famous Mount Panorama circuit.
“To return to The Mountain as the defending champion of the 12-hour is something special and an event I am really looking forward to,” said Habul.
“It will be great to be able to defend the title with Jules and Luca who are both looking forward to having another crack at The Mountain.
“I guess you could call Mt Panorama my ‘home’ track because one of my homes is right on Conrad Straight, which gives me a chance to have a little sleep in.”
The Liqui Moly 12H field is peppered with millions of dollars of the finest spec machinery including Audi, BMW, Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.
Perth’s Jordan Love joins David Reynolds and Tony Bates in another Mercedes-AMG GT3, forming a Pro-Am entry run by Volante Rosso Motorsport for the Intercontinental GT Challenge opener at the legendary Mount Panorama Circuit.
Jordan has previous experience around the Mount Panorama Circuit and has also enjoyed success there on multiple occasions. At the end of 2022, he took a podium finish hereat the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS endurance event.
In 2019, during his championship-winning campaign in Porsche Payce Carrera Cup, Jordan achieved three wins, two pole positions, and the fastest lap in a dominant performance. A year earlier in 2018, Jordan claimed three podiums and a race win; and in 2017 finished in third place at the Bathurst 12 Hour in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race.
“I got a teaser at the end of last year in the three-hour so I’m pretty pumped to be heading there,” said Love.
“To have the Liqui Moly 12 Hour back at the start of the year where it belongs and with a strong field is going to be great.
“To be teaming up with Batesy and Reynolds means we’ve not only got a strong line-up but will have a good time doing it too.
“I’m super pumped!
“The car was mega at the three-hour and I got along with everyone at the team really well.
“They’re a great bunch of guys and I’m super keen to be back with them for a second race at the big one.” JORDAN LOVE
Fan Friendly Windscreen LEDs
The 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour features a new position system with fans able to track a car’s positions and driver via Lumirank LED Panels, enhanced to display colours of different classes.
What you will see
Mounted in the top corner of the windscreen, the displays and are bright and visible from trackside and on TV.
On an out lap, the display shows the car’s start number and three-letter driver identification.
For example, if a car is first, it will display ‘001’ and the driver’s identification.
That ranges from a driver’s surname — for example, ‘HOL’ for Lee Holdsworth — or common moniker, like ’SVG’ for Shane van Gisbergen.
During practice and qualifying, the display shows overall ranking. During the race, it shows overall position.
The display also shows the driver identification in between, every three seconds. During the race, the display displays the overall class leader by flashing LED.
The new LEDs make their Mount Panorama debut when cars hit the track Friday.
Entry List – LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour
Schedule – LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour
#B12HR EXPLAINED: The classes – LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour
Huge Support for Combined Sedans and FFs
The Racer Industries Formula Ford Challenge, with its 50+ field, have one race Friday and two Saturday.
WA’s competitors are #5 Thomas Hamlett, Van Diemen RF92; #16 Jason Youd, Van Diemen RF92; #44 Tomas Chapman, Van Diemen RF01; and #79 Craig Jorgensen, Van Diemen RF93.
The Duggan Family Hotels Combined Sedans, with a simply majestic number of power-plus machines, have three races Saturday.
Check link below for further details.
Support Categories – LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour
My thanks to BAM Media www.bammedia.com.au
Bathurst Enduro – Bentley 1, McLaren 2, Mercedes 3! – ACM ACM (adrianchambersmotorsports.com.au)
EDITED by AC
Leave a Reply