2009 WPS Bathurst 12 Hour - The Race Thread

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Wood-duck

Is there a reliability cloud over the Pro Duct Evo X's GTR ? Reports are they have been quick in testing, but nobody has actually said how long they lasted...

Not so long ago Mr Pearson operated a fleet of Rx-7 turbos.. which produced prodigious power, black smoke and flames... and DNF's.... last year's Evo Lancers didnt survive too well either, delayed by mechanical problems

Mr Pearson has traditionally pushed the boundaries of engine power in his production cars... such that the margin of safety is not always a large one.

[mtpanorama]

Originally Posted by Belly13

Is Alan still entering his 2 BMW's. Based on the entry list I have, he is struggling for drivers...

Both cars are running, not sure who the drivers are though.

[RotorFan]

Originally Posted by aussieOW1

Should be interesting. I just wish they'd start it at a different time so they can have a few meaningful hours of nighttime running...

We all do! That first year was great.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by RotorFan

We all do! That first year was great.

Yeah, the start time definitely sucks, and takes away from the specialness of the event. It's bad too for media etc as a later start time = later finish, (duh!) missed deadlines, late nights etc etc.

[gwg1010]

i think 5am start would be the best. it would mean getting back home at an hour that would be wouldnt be too late if you lived in sydney.
Any earlier and its too long a day, the first hour would be in semi darkness and make it very interesting.

[alfacors]

They had a 12hr display at the Top Gear live shows in Sydney this past weekend. The Jim Hunter Sti, Holty's BMW and a display car from WBR showing their L'oreal sponsorship were out on show and a couple of lovely girls handing out flyers for the race. So a bit of promotion for the race to the revheads at Top Gear was good to see.

[STEVO]

It'd be awesome if Seton can win this one, it'd put him in the right frame of mind for the 1000 in October, fingers crossed his EVO can last the distance!

Go Glenn!

[RotorFan]

Not sure if this point has been made, but its interesting that the eligibility list in the event brief specify the RX-8 as eligible in both Class A and Class D!

[GtiMagic]

Originally Posted by RotorFan

Not sure if this point has been made, but its interesting that the eligibility list in the event brief specify the RX-8 as eligible in both Class A and Class D!

Probably just a typing error.

I hear that they might crack the 50 mark with entries. Imagine that! It will be an amazing spectacle.

I also hear that the 2 Ralliart Evo 10s tested at Winton yesterday and were very quick. Can't doubt Allan Heafy's (SP?) ability to prepare a quick car - remember they were 1st and 2nd last year.

I still think Salmon, White, Longhurst Evo will win, even though there is Jones, Crompton, Pearson in another Evo10. I'd put White and Loghurst as being equal to the task against those two, and I'd say Salmon was a better bet than Bob.

And I have to believe, in line with GTR's earlier comments, the Ralliart Evo will likely be more reliable than the Pearson ones.

Some thrilling battles to unfold though.....

[pplater]

Originally Posted by RotorFan

Not sure if this point has been made, but its interesting that the eligibility list in the event brief specify the RX-8 as eligible in both Class A and Class D!

That's because it's Class A across the top and Class D on Mountain Straight.

The mountain gods demand torque.

[Belly13]

Originally Posted by mtpanorama

Both cars are running, not sure who the drivers are though.

That's good news. What about his trusty old blue Celica? Good luck to you, Allan and the team at On-Track...

Anyone heard anything about the diesel Astra from Nigel Barclay?

[rdmdog]

Wonder if there might be a push for 8 997's to enter?

[Wood-duck]

The 12 hour has a price ceiling of $125,000..AUD

Actually a second hand 997 might just now fit under that cap...following the events of the last week or so...

just quickly on the chat about starting the race in the dark. Apparently the costs are quite more to start the race in the dark, and it also doesnt make for good TV.

[pplater]

Originally Posted by Wood-duck

The 12 hour has a price ceiling of $125,000..AUD

Actually a second hand 997 might just now fit under that cap...following the events of the last week or so...

If only it was so easy, you could have some sort of gentleman's agreement where Warren Mosler could give you a MT900S receipt for $124,990. It would be great to see GT cars running with the field again... *sigh*

[alfacors]

Diesel Astra drivers have been sorted, as have the drivers for Shep's BMWs.

[6.213km]

Originally Posted by pplater

If only it was so easy, you could have some sort of gentleman's agreement where Warren Mosler could give you a MT900S receipt for $124,990. It would be great to see GT cars running with the field again... *sigh*

LOL!! I reckon if Warren Mosler was selling em for that price the whole field would be running Moslers !!

[pplater]

Race would certainly be different if GTs were allowed in though the rules are pretty good as is.
I would like to see the price limit lifted so things like the M3 ot C63 could have a run.

[pplater]

Race would certainly be different if GTs were allowed in though the rules are pretty good as is.
I would like to see the price limit lifted so things like the M3 ot C63 could have a run.

[Belly13]

Originally Posted by alfacors

Diesel Astra drivers have been sorted, as have the drivers for Shep's BMWs.

You wouldn't happen to have any names now, would you alfacors?

[B24]

Originally Posted by pplater

Race would certainly be different if GTs were allowed in though the rules are pretty good as is.
I would like to see the price limit lifted so things like the M3 ot C63 could have a run.

I think just about all would agree except for the production car guys looking for an outright victory..A long distance GT race in winter would be better but I dont really want to start on this as its the 12hr thread.
The race will be as good as expected. I also believe the support classes will be impressive with IP backing up with a massive field of weapon fast cars. These cars are a must see through the reid park as are the Porsches. Im prepping the van for a few days at Mount P. Cant wait.
Who is interested in meeting up for food and or refreshments?

[aussieOW1]

Originally Posted by Belly13

You wouldn't happen to have any names now, would you alfacors?

I'm no alfacors but I am led to believe that the Astra diesel team is made up of Taz Douglas and Holdsworths times three.

[Belly13]

Originally Posted by B24

Who is interested in meeting up for food and or refreshments?

I am....if I'm invited.

[Belly13]

Originally Posted by aussieOW1

I'm no alfacors but I am led to believe that the Astra diesel team is made up of Taz Douglas and Holdsworths times three.

Where'd you find that out?
Be good if it was true...hope they win their class . I reckon my Grandma's scooter would've been quicker than Alfa 147Diesel last year

[aussieOW1]

Originally Posted by Belly13

Where'd you find that out?
Be good if it was true...hope they win their class . I reckon my Grandma's scooter would've been quicker than Alfa 147Diesel last year

An event press release issued today, in fact..

Entry list as it stands. There are only two cars with 'TBC' as drivers and now 51 cars on the list in total. What a grid.

2009 WPS BATHURST 12 HOUR SHOWROOM ENDURO - ENTRY LIST

Class A - High Performance Rear Wheel Drive
2 Holden VZ-HSV Ian Tulloch John Sax Connel McLaren
5 Holden HSV VY Series II Barrie Nesbitt Paul Freestone Robert Jones
11 BMW 335i Barry Morcom Luke Searle Paul Stubber
12 Holden HSV VY Series II Tony Alford Peter Leemhuis Mal Rose
17 Ford FG-FPV Steve Johnson Nathan Tinkler Nathan Callaghan
20 BMW 335i Gary Holt Paul Morris Rick Shaw
23 Holden HSV VE Steve Briffa Marcus Zukanovic Tim Sipp
32 Holden HSV VE Gerard Keogh Bob Brewer Geoff Emery
69 Holden HSV VY Series II Todd Zani John O'Dowd Jim Pollicina
71 Holden HSV VY Series II David Mertins Leigh Mertins Steve Cramp
85 Holden HSV VE Russell Ingall Nathan Pretty Andy Jones
89 Holden HSV VE Marty Miller Kerry Millar tbc

Class B - High Performance Sports
10 Lotus Exige Mark O'Connor Richard Buttrose Simon Hogg
15 Nissan 350Z Track Josh Hunt Jonathan Webb Paul Stokell

Class C - High Performance All Wheel Drive
1 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Rod Salmon Tony Longhurst Damien White
3 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Steven Jones Kerry Wade Aaron Caratti
9 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Charlie Hollings Nathan Caratti Colin Corkery
22 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Chris Delfsma David Wood Gary Tierney
25 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Craig Baird Lee Castle Rodney Forbes
26 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Paul Kelly Dean Grant Max Twigg
29 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IV Tony Quinn Klark Quinn Grant Denyer
33 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Mark King Bob Pearson Bruce Stewart
34 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Jason Bargwanna Neil Crompton Brad Jones
35 Mitubishi Lancer Evo X Glenn Seton Steve Knight tbc
37 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII tbc tbc tbc
38 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII tbc tbc tbc
43 Mitsubishi Lacer Evo IX David Wall Des Wall Trevor Symonds
44 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti Jim Hunter John Bowe Gavin Bullas
55 Mitsubuishi Lancer Evo X Glyn Crimp Tony Ricciardello Stuart Kostura
62 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X Tim Leahey Peter Hill Eric Bana
91 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Anton Mechtler Jason Walsh Mark Brame
96 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX James Koundouris Theo Koundouris Steve Owen

Class D - Hot Hatch Performance Cars
27 BMW 130i Alan Shepard Peter O'Donnell Christian D'Agostin
28 BMW 130i Lauren Gray John De Veth Rob Thomson
36 Mazda 3 MPS Jake Camilleri Scott Nicholas

Class E - Production Sedans
8 Ford BF MkII Alan Letcher Clint Harvey Brett Nial
18 Ford FG Glen Kenny Corey Baldcock James Moffat
24 Holden VZ Garth Walden Brian Walden Michael Auld
94 Ford BF Richard Howe Dennis O'Keefe Dean Neville
99 Ford BF MkII Jason Tremeer Craig Tremeer Troy Stone

Class F - Production Sports
13 Toyota Celica Colin Osborne Neal Bates Simon Evans
14 Honda Integra Peter Conroy Carl Schembri Richard Gartner
21 Honda Integra Terry Conroy Lee Burgess Leanne Tander
31 Toyota Celica John Rocken Stuart Jones Trevor Keene
50 Holden Astra Gerard McLeod Peter McLeod Ryan McLeod

Class G - Micro Sedans and Hatches
66 Subaru Impreza 2.0R Heather Spurle Christina Orr Molly Taylor
88 Subaru Impreza 2.5 Matthew Windsor Steve Sheils Paul Newman

Class H - Eco Diesel/Hybrid 3.5 litre and Over
76 Alfa Romeo 159 JTD Kean Booker Rocco Rinnaldo David Stone

Class I - Eco Diesel/Hybrid Under 3.5 litre
67 Holden Astra CDTi Taz Douglas Brett Holdsworth Glen Holdsworth Lee Holdsworth
77 Alfa Romeo 147 JTD David Filipetto Nathan Gotch Wayne Vinckx

Class J - Sports Utility Vehicles & V8 Utes
47 Holden VE SS Ute Grant Johnson Jeff Watts Greg Willis

[Belly13]

Sure does look good...at least 48 cars, excluding the 2 PRO-DUCT EVO 8's, the Miller HSV. What's the go with the Miller HSV? It's been allocated a number, so hopefully it will turn up.
In relation to the Astra Diesel, I hope Brett keeps it off the wall this year. Good luck to them.
Is Grant Denyer still a definate starter? I haven't heard otherwise...