2011 Bathurst 1000 winner and 2015 V8 Supercar driver Nick Percat will join the grid for the 2016 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hours.
The Lucas Dumbrell Holden man will start his first 12 Hours driving a Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 with Peter Rullo.
The car will be entered and prepared by LD Motorsport as part of a broader arrangement that will see Rullo’s son, Alex, race for the team in the Dunlop V8 Supercar series.
Percat joins already confirmed regular V8 steerers Craig Lowndes, Garth Tander, Tim Slade and Scott McLaughlin on the 12-hour grid, with more likely to compete in the event on next February 5-7. What a difference a year makes eh!
“I got to know the Rullo family earlier this year,” Percat explained.
“I’ve tried to help Alex out a bit and have spent some time talking to Peter. He told me he was going to buy the Lambo asked if I’d be interested in running and I jumped at opportunity.
“It’s come from a relationship I’ve got with the family, but from now I’ll be working with Alex so it’s also the start of a mentoring relationship with them.”
After several seasons in the V8 Supercars series and time in the Development series ranks, Percat says next year’s 12 Hour is also the first step in broadening his GT racing horizons for the future.
“It’s going to be very different for me and I’d not followed it that closely until this year’s event, I was so focused on getting into the Supercars and firming all that up,” Percat explained.
“I’ve always had a real desire to drive cars like this, everyone wants to and it will be my first time in a proper GT car.
“I can’t wait to sample it and see what it’s like to have all the dials on the wheel and controls for things like Traction Control, ABS and stuff like that.”
Percat spent the 2013 season in the Porsche Carrera Cup, where he finished second behind five-time champion Craig Baird and believes that experience coupled with time in ‘wings and slicks’ open wheelers will also help him adapt to the current specification GT3 vehicles.
“The only car I’ve got experience in with proper aero is the Formula 3 car but I look forward to trying it in the Lamborghini. Cars like that reward bravery and the faster you go, the more downforce you get.
“I’m also excited about getting back onto the Michelin, I loved it when I was in the Cup Car and got a lot out of the tyre in qualifying trim. The 12 Hour isn’t so much about qualifying but that tyre has always given me a level of grip I’ve enjoyed.”
Rullo’s LD Motorsport-prepared Lamborghini will provide Percat and a yet to be confirmed third driver, with a strong outright chance of success in next year’s race.
In the hands of David Russell, Steven Owen and Roger Lago the car qualified second for the 2015 race (2m03.1751s) and finished seventh, just one lap behind the winners.
Percat said he’s hopeful of confirming a high profile third driver to assist the team’s cause.
“If we can get Oliver Gavin that would be big for us. It’s a big deal, he’s won Le Mans five times and this kind of race is his element. He’s someone who if we can get him in our corner it’s massive.
“He understands the race and when he’s not in the car he can give so much experience and feedback on the car and help the team with strategy.
“We’re working on trying to make that happen and get him here.”
And while it’s set to be his first start in Australia’s International enduro, Percat certainly hopes that the 2016 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 hour won’t be his last.
“I’m keen to get overseas in the future and do some more of these endurance events and I’ve obviously got a good contact with Olly,” he explained.
“The Bathurst 12 hour is a perfect intro into GT racing for me, to be honest. It’s a track I know really well, in a comfortable environment and the best place for me to learn a GT car. I’m really looking forward to it.”
