Bathurst Friday Notebook

Photo: Gruppe C Photography/SRO

***The No. 24 Method Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4 has undergone a driver change, with Bathurst rookie Cameron Campbell having elected to step aside and focus on his Ferrari Challenge commitments this weekend. He has been replaced in the car by two-time and defending TCR Australia champion Josh Buchan. The decision was approved by the stewards prior to Friday’s third practice session of the day.

***Jamie Day and Mateo Villagomez, who are Silver-rated drivers, were permitted to run in the pair of Bronze driver practice sessions on Friday at the request of their teams due to both drivers making their Bathurst debuts. This led to some confusion in the opening Bronze session, which saw Day set the quickest time but second-placed Kenny Habul end up quickest of the Bronze-rated drivers.

***The No. 183 Jamec Racing/Team MPC Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II suffered gearbox issues that prevented Bronze-rated Liam Talbot from setting a time in the second practice, which was reserved for amateur drivers. The car returned to FP3 to set the second quickest time of the session with Broc Feeney at the wheel.

***Among the rules changes for this year’s race include the elimination of mandatory timed pit stops, although there is still a minimum timed pitstop time of 80 seconds for any stops that involve refueling and/or a driver change. The maximum stint length rule of 32 laps has also been scrapped.

***Habul is the only driver registered to score Intercontinental GT Challenge Independent Cup points this weekend. A rules change has permitted Independent Cup-nominated Bronze-rated drivers to compete in any class this year, which allowed Habul to enter for Bathurst. The U.S.-based-Australian is again in the Pro category this weekend as he bids for his third overall win in the last four years.

***As was the case last year, the Independent Cup is expected to have a drop score, allowing for others to join in from the second round at the Nürburgring without penalty. Sportscar365 understands that Antares Au is likely to defend his title from the N24 onwards.

***Habul, meanwhile, is set to make his full-season IGTC return this year. He confirmed to Sportscar365 that his 75 Express team plans to contest all five rounds, including the N24, which will require him to complete in several NLS races to secure his Nordschleife racing permit.

***’King Kenny’ missed both the N24 and CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa last year, the latter race due to business commitments. This year’s run would mark Habul’s return to the famed Belgian circuit since breaking his back in a qualifying accident in 2023.

***Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach revealed that the German manufacturer will “find solutions” for the three consecutive 24-hour races in June that includes the N24 and 24H Spa on back-to-back weekends. Laudenbach indicated that other OEMs may be in worse positions than Porsche, given the depth of its driver pool.

***Lamborghini is poised to only have one Pro car in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup this year following Iron Lynx’s exit, according to Lamborghini chief technical officer Roven Mohr, who confirmed that no new teams are expected with the Huracan GT3 EVO2 this year.

***Mohr told reporters last weekend in Daytona they’re currently “discussing” with teams for both the N24 and 24H Spa, with the Italian manufacturer preparing to potentially have more than one Pro car at each event but are still “50/50” at this stage. Mohr, however, ruled out the same team contesting both races due to their close proximity.

***Sportscar365 understands that Volante Rosso Motorsport plans to upgrade its Aston Martin Vantage GT3 to Evo specification for the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season, which kicks off at Phillip Island in April.

***Valentino Rossi confirmed to reporters that he will contest the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa and GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint Cup event at Misano, in addition to his FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 commitments, which he chose over a full-time return to GTWC Europe.

***Rossi said: “In the beginning when we started the program with Vincent [Vosse, WRT team principal], it was in the list to come [back] to Bathurst. I will race in WEC but I will do some extra races.”

***Heart of Racing Team principal Ian James told Sportscar365 that its full Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH driver lineups for both the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will be announced on Feb. 5. So far, Alex Riberas and Harry Tincknell have been confirmed in each of the team’s WEC Hypercar entries.

***James wouldn’t confirm rumors that the V12-powered Valkyrie will be able to run without any noise restrictions in the WeatherTech Championship but said that “fans at Sebring will be happy” with a smile.

***Robichon, who is completing his triple dose of endurance racing this weekend after also contesting the Michelin 24H Dubai and Rolex 24 with the team, has been confirmed in Heart of Racing’s No. 27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 EVO for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, with a full season program understood to be likely.

***Heart of Racing is the only U.S.-based team contesting this weekend’s race, although like last year, is receiving operational and technical support from Germany outfit SPS automotive performance. It’s understood there are several Heart of Racing staff embedded in the team this weekend.

***Australian Supercars were on track for two dedicated test sessions, used to balance the ‘technical parity’ between the two Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Ford Mustang platforms. One car apiece are to be utilized in sessions that include two additional sessions on Saturday to book-end the on-track track action.

***Tony Quinn, owner of Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand, meanwhile, turned laps in his track day-only Aston Martin Vulcan hypercar, during the demo laps session. Several Genesis vehicles were also seen completing laps.