2016 World Endurance Champion Marc Lieb and Porsche factory star Patrick Long will compete at the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour with American-based Porsche team Competition Motorsport in the Pro/Am class with David Calvert-Jones
Lieb, overall winner of the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, is no stranger to the infamous Bathurst circuit having competed in a V8 Supercar at the Bathurst 1000 with Tekno Motorsport in 2013. Long meanwhile has also tasted success at Le Mans. He is a three-time American Le Mans Series driver’s champion, class winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans and the only North American employed as a factory racing driver by Porsche.
LA-based Australian driver David Calvert-Jones is excited about the opportunity to drive in his home country in what will be his fourth time competing at the event.
“The Bathurst 12 hour event has really come of age,” Calvert-Jones said.
“We are now seeing numerous factory supported GT3 programs focusing on this iconic endurance race and I’m so excited to get back to Australia and race at Mount Panorama.”
President and CEO of Porsche Motorsports North America Jens Walther said he is excited about the calibre of talent behind the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the opportunity to put together a competitive entry.
“This is the fourth time that CJ (Calvert-Jones) is racing a Porsche at Bathurst. We are very happy that Marc Lieb joins CJ and Patrick, who had a strong showing in 2015 and gained invaluable experience for this year’s race at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit. The lineup and the team make for a strong entry and definitely one to watch.”
Competition Motorsports will be supported by Australian Porsche specialist team McElrea Racing and Porsche Motorsport North America. The team will be completing a shake down in LA next Friday before the race car is packed into a container and shipped to Australia for arrival in early January.
