Australian touring car legend Tony Longhurst has confirmed the team of drivers that he hopes will drive the Castrol sponsored BMW GT4 into the history books at the 2018 Bathurst-12Hour.
Building on a successful 23-year-long partnership, Castrol will once again support Tony in his assault on the 2018 Bathurst 12-Hour.
Longhurst will be joined in the driver’s seat of the Castrol sponsored BMW GT4 by two third generation Bathurst drivers, Matt Brabham, and Aaron Seton.
Brabham, 23, who will make will make his Bathurst debut, follows in the footsteps of his Grandfather Sir Jack Brabham and father Geoff.
“I am looking forward to having my first outing at Mt Panorama and this is a terrific way to do it,” said Brabham. “I have to thank Tony for the opportunity.”
Matt’s grandfather, Sir Jack Brabham, won the Bathurst 100-mile race back in 1960 in a 2.5-liter Cooper Climax in which he was clocked at 157mph (251kph) down Conrod Straight. From there, Sir Jack went on to dominate F1 with World Championship crowns in 1959, 1960 and 1966.
Sir Jack made his Bathurst debut in 1976 with English legend Stirling Moss. Despite high-hopes for the outing, the duos day came to abrupt end when a broken driven line saw their Holden Torana hit from behind after being stranded on the start line.
The following year, Sir Jack returned with son Geoff where they overcame a slow start to finish a respectable sixth after spending much of the day well outside the top 10.
The significance of driving with a fellow third generation Bathurst driver has not been lost on Brabham.
“It is pretty cool to be heading to Bathurst with the group of people we have given the history of all three families separately and together over the years.”
Matt’s father Geoff, a Bathurst legend in his own right, won the 1997 Bathurst 1000 Touring Race in a BMWwith his brother David after original winners and BMW teammates Craig Baird and Paul Morris were disqualified for a driver-time infringement.
Seton, 19, the son of two-time Australian touring car champion (1993 and 1997) Glenn Seton and grandson of Barry “Bo” Seton, will make his third appearance at the Bathurst 12-Hour.
“The Seton family has a little bit of unfinished business at Bathurst and it would be nice to get a solid result in the Boat Works BMW GT4 in February,” said Seton.
Aaron has worked his way through the karting ranks and has driven successfully in several series including the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, the Toyota 86 one-make series and Kumho Australian V8 Touring Car Series.
“Anytime you can get to do laps of Mt Panorama is great, but to be going there with a brand new BMW GT4 with the support of someone like Tony (Longhurst) is pretty special.” Said Seton.
Longhurst, who announced his retirement from active racing at the end of last year’s Bathurst 12-Hour which he drove a BMW GT3 with Russell Ingall and Mark Skaife, will join Aaron and Matt in the driver’s seat.
TRACK SCHEDULE
FRIDAY 2ND OF FEBRUARY
Start Duration Category Session
8:25 0:30 Bathurst 12 Hour Practice#1 (Amateurs only)
9:00 0:45 Bathurst 12 Hour Practice#2
10:45 11:30 Bathurst 12 Hour Practice#3
13:35 0:45 Bathurst 12 Hour Practice#4
SATURDAY 3RD OF FEBRUARY
Start Duration Category Session
8:55 0:40 Bathurst 12 Hour Practice#5
11:05 0:45 Bathurst 12 Hour Qualifying 1
11:55 0:30 Bathurst 12 Hour Qualifying 2 (Class A Only)
15:15 0:45 Bathurst 12 Hour Top 10 Shootout (Class A)
SUNDAY 4TH OF FEBRUARY
Start Duration Category Session
5:15 0:10 Bathurst 12 Hour Pit Exit Opens
5:25 Bathurst 12 Hour Pit Exit Closes
5:45 17:45 Bathurst 12 Hour Race – 12 Hours
More on the 2018 Bathurst 12-Hour
Bathurst 12 Hour, everything you need to know. READ HERE
Beginners Guide to Watching the Bathurst 12 Hour. READ HERE
Top 6 Bathurst 12 Hour Crashes. READ HERE
Top 7 Bathurst 12 Hour Finishes. READ HERE