Formula One test driver Hartley joins United Autosport
Media Release:
3rd February
2013
Formula
One test driver Brendon Hartley joins United Autosports for
Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hours
* Brendon Hartley
joins United regulars Mark Patterson and Alain
Li
* Second
consecutive visit to Iconic Mount Panorama for United
Autosports
* A
huge International 50-car grid for
2013
***
Mercedes
Formula One test driver Brendon Hartley will make his
Bathurst debut next weekend (February 8-10 2013) in the
annual 12-hour race at the legendary Mount Panorama circuit.
Fresh from driving duties in last weekends Rolex 24 at
Daytona in America the 23-year old New Zealander will share
the cockpit with US-based South African Mark Patterson and
Hong Kong-based Alain Li for an all-out challenge in the
classic GT endurance event.
Having gained valuable
experience from the race last year the team has invested in
the new Audi R8 LMS ultra and expect to be able to challenge
for the win.
Both Mark and Alain are no strangers behind
the wheel of the Audi, having raced with great success on
several occasions and taken many podiums between them.
Brendon has a wealth of experience in single-seaters
clinching the 2007 World Series by Renault – Eurocup 2.0
title before contesting the British Formula 3 Championship,
the GP2 Series, and then a move into the Formula One arena.
This will be his first time behind the wheel of a GT car
having successfully campaigned an LMP2 Oreca Nissan in both
the WEC, Le Mans and the ELMS.
The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12
Hour is quickly becoming recognised as one of the premier
endurance races around the world with many of the leading
marques in international sportscar racing increasing their
involvement.
The event will test both men and machine to
the limit around the awesome 6.213 km-long roller-coaster
Mount Panorama circuit.
The 2013 race will begin at 7am to 7pm on Sunday 10th February.
Alain Li (F),
Born: Caen, France. Lives: Hong
Kong:“
““ It is great to be back behind
the wheel with United at such a brilliant event. Mark and I
have driven together here and in Spa before and he is a
great teammate and fun to be with off the track as well. I
am looking forward to Brendon joining us. He has an
impressive cv and it’s always beneficial having someone of
his caliber to work with. It will be my first time in a car
since I won the Ferrari Challenge support event at the
Singapore Grand Prix last year so I'm hoping that we can
challenge for a podium."
Mark
Patterson (SA), Born: Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Lives:
Bronxville, NY, USA
”Teaming up with
United Autosports and my reliable partner Alain Li again at
one of the world's most challenging race tracks is a real
thrill. Last year we weren't able to finish the race despite
some solid early stints, so seeing this one through in a
field twice as deep is our primary objective.
Promoter James O'Brien has worked hard on promoting this event, traveling the world, and this deep field shows his effort has paid off. Can't wait to hear that eternal racing call to duty: "Gentlemen, start your intestines!!!!!".
Brendan Hartley (NZ), Born:
Palmerston North Lives: NZ
“As a Kiwi I have
always wanted to race at Bathurst so I am very excited that
I have this opportunity. It will also be my debut in a GT
car with the Audi so I am looking forward the challenge.
United Autosports are a top professional team so I'm sure we
can get up to speed quickly and be in a position to aim for
a top result. I’m really looking forward to
it”.
Richard Dean (GB), Managing Director & Co-Owner of United Autosports
Bathurst is one of
the most iconic race circuits anywhere in the world, and the
12-hour race is now a major fixture on the calendar For
United Autosports this is a very important race and we are
very proud to be part of this great
event.”
Zak Brown (USA),
“ We are delighted to have Brendan as part of
the driver line-up for Bathurst. To be attracting a current
Formula One star to race our Audi GT3 at such a great event
is a testament to the strength of our team”.
TV
Coverage
The Television coverage for the 2013
B12HR will be as
follows:
Australia:
• 3 hour
highlights programme on SBS Speedweek at midday on Sun 17
Feb
• 3 hour highlights program Fox Sports in late
February
2013
International:
•
1 to 3 hour Programs to be broadcast in March/April 13
through Motors TV, Sky Sports and others in Asia, Europe,
North America and New
Zealand.
Streaming:
•
B12HR will be streamed live online via www.bathurst12hour.com.au
.
ENDS