As part of the demonstrations this weekend at the Bathurst 12 Hour, Mercedes AMG brought along a specially modified version of the Mercedes AMG GT3, with F1-like DRS, carbon disk brakes, an unrestricted engine and aerodynamic modifications.
The task? Break the (unofficial) tin-top lap record at The Mountain.
Prior to this weekend, the best lap for a closed-top car was a 1:58.68, held by Luke Youlden in the Brabham BT62, as part of demonstrations for the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour event.
Jules Gounon has been tasked with piloting the car this weekend. In his first flying lap this morning, he set a frankly blistering 1:56.6054, smashing the existing record by two seconds.
His second attempt was cut short by a brush on the wall, with witness marks on the side of the car and the wheel hub as the car pulled into the garage!
“We reached over 240km/h before Skyline,” said Gounon. “It’s just crazy. To be between two walls, to be at 240kph at the top of the mountain in a straight piped, 650hp machine, it’s crazy.
“It was one of the best laps I’ve had the chance to do here, because it was big big commitment.”
While thrilled with the lap, Jules was glad to have finished the attempt in one piece.
Without any further ado:
Here’s @JulesGounon’s onboard of today’s GT car lap record at Mount Panorama Circuit. 😍#WeLivePerformance #MercedesAMG #AMG #WorldsFastestFamily #Pirelli #MercedesBenzAU #DefiningMotorsport #since1894 pic.twitter.com/vP0UJTHNYW
— Mercedes-AMG Motorsport (@amgmotorsport) February 17, 2024
“I pushed really hard, I hit the wall, and I was really lucky to escape. You get confident and then the Mountain teaches you, no no no, don’t get too confident or then I bite!
“I’m glad it’s finished, so now I have the risk off!”
As the lap wasn’t during an official race session, it does not count as a GT3 lap record. However, it is still a stellar lap, and one, like the Brabham BT62 lap before it, that will be remembered vividly by those who were here to see it!
Here’s a look behind just what is so special about the car with Jules Gounon and SRO’s Tom Hornsby.
