Tony D’Alberto will join Vicious Rumour Racing’s Ferrari 458 squad for the 2014 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
The 28-year-old will bring a wealth of track knowledge to Tony DeFelice’s squad having competed in 10 Bathurst 1000 races.
However, this year will be D’Alberto’s first experience in the 12 hour endurance at Mount Panorama.
“I’m really excited to be joining Tony DeFelice and his team for the Bathurst 12 Hour,” D’Alberto said.
“I have always wanted to do the event, and when Tony called I couldn’t refuse this exciting opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to testing the car later this month at Phillip Island.
“I had a seat fit the other day and the Ferrari 458 is clearly a weapon, so I can’t wait to link up with the guys at Mount Panorama.”
D’Alberto will be joined at Vicious Rumour Racing by experienced V8 Supercars co-driver Dean Canto, who replaces the previously confirmed Italian GT ace Alessandro Balzan.
The reigning Grand-Am GT champion Balzan was forced to withdraw from the event due to logistical issues.
Other V8 Supercar drivers confirmed for the event include Craig Lowndes (Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 458), Jason Bright and Warren Luff in the Rod Salmon-entered Audi R8 LMS and David Russell (JBS Swift Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4).
While new Erebus signing Will Davison is widely anticipated to be pitched into one of the team’s SLS AMG GT3 machines.
Greg Murphy is set to return to the mountain track with Trofeo Motorsport in their Corvette C6R GT3, while Rick Kelly will lead the Nissan Global Team NISMO Nissan GTR GT3 team in their Bathurst debut.
Craig Baird returns in the Clearwater Racing Ferrari 458 GT3 while Bathurst 1000 champion Steven Richards and 2013 Dunlop Series champion Dale Wood will drive the M Motorsport Lamborghini Gallardo.
Luke Youlden has been confirmed as one of the ‘pro’ drivers in the three car FIAT Abarth squad.
Additional V8 Supercar drivers are expected to be among the starters with the full entry list released within the next fortnight.
The Bathurst 12 Hour is scheduled from February 7-9.
