Jason Bright will get his first taste of the Audi R8 that he’ll drive in the 2014 Bathurst 12 Hour at this month’s Highlands 101 in New Zealand.
The V8 Supercars regular will share with car owner Rod Salmon and fellow co-driver Liam Talbot in the 101 lap race that will see a combined field of Australian GT and local South Island Endurance Series competitors.
As Salmon is in the running for third in the AGTC standings and has a pre-existing commitment with Talbot, Bright will not be part of the team’s two-driver line-up for Saturday’s twin 40 minute points races.
The event will mark Bright’s second race meeting in New Zealand this year having memorably won the Jason Richards Trophy at Pukekohe’s V8 Supercars event in April.
“It’s ideal for me; it’s valuable laps in the car ahead of next year’s 12 Hour, so it’s important to do it,” said Bright of competing in the 101.
“Unfortunately by not doing the AGT race I won’t get any laps till qualifying on Sunday ahead of the race, but it won’t be the car I’ll need to worry about, it will be learning the circuit.
“I’ve seen footage of the track, and it looks fantastic; very busy. There’s nothing like throwing yourself in the deep end, but I’m sure by the end of the race I’ll be comfortable in the car and that will be important ahead of the 12 Hour.”
Bright will come across several familiar names in the 101, with the likes of Greg Murphy, Neil Crompton, Fabian Coulthard, Dean Canto, Dale Wood, John Bowe and Jack Perkins all slated to compete.
Other local names in the field include New Zealand V8 SuperTourer drivers Andrew Waite and Simon Evans, who are teaming up in Quinn’s second Aston.
The Highlands 101 will take place on Sunday November 10.
See below for the updated entry list
| VIP Petfoods | Porsche | Klark Quinn | Craig Baird |
| Darrrel Lee | Aston Martin | Tony Quinn | Fabian Coulthard |
| Maranello | Ferrari 458 | Peter Edwards | John Bowe |
| Taplin Real Estate | Ferrari 458 | Andrew Taplin | Dean Canto |
| Trofeo Motorsport | Corvette | Jim Manolios | Ivan Capelli |
| M Motorsport | Lamborghini LP600 | Justin McMillan | Dale Wood |
| One World Bar | Audi R8 LMS Ultra | Rod Salmon | L.Talbot/J.Bright |
| Highlands Park | McLaren | Greg Murphy | Neil Crompton |
| Equity-One Mortgage Fund | Audi R8 LMS | Dean Koutsoumdis | Andrew McInnes |
| Imak International | Porsche 997 Cup S | Andrew McPherson | Ben Porter |
| Rentcorp | Porsche 997 Cup | Indiran Padayachee | Aaron Zerefos |
| Brendon Cook | Porsche 997 Cup | Brendon Cook | TBA |
| Motor School | Porsche 996 Cup | Ben Foessel | Michael Almond |
| Michael Hovey | Ginetta G50 GT4 | Michael Hovey | GT race only |
| TM Motorsport | Ginetta G50 GT4 | Tony Martin | Michael Hovey |
| Vawdrey Semi Trailers | Ginetta G50 GT4 | Mark Griffith | Jack Perkins |
| Jan Jindassa | Lamborghini Gallardo | Jan Jindassa | No co-driver |
| Steve McLaughlan | Dodge Viper | Steve McLaughlan | Greg Crick |
| Highlands Park | Mosler MT900 | Clark Proctor | Steven Ross |
| Highlands Park | Aston Martin | Andrew Waite | Simon Evans |
