The Queensland-based outfit will contest Class B1, for High Performance Forced Induction, with Karlie Buccini and Courtney Prince along with new recruit Sue Palermo, in their BMW 135i. Last year Buccini, Prince and Ellexandra Best finish second in the class.
Buccini’s first Bathurst race was in 2022 where she was third in class at the 6 Hour. She raced at the Bathurst International last year in the Mobil 1 Australian Production Car and Monochrome Invitational class where she placed third in B1. Prior to the second run at Mt Panorama, she took in rounds of both the national and Queensland Production Cars.
Prince had a stellar year in 2023. From Formula Fords she joined with the Porsche Centre Melbourne where she teamed with Fabian Coulthard in the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup and competed in the Pro class.
She also shared with Buccini at the Bathurst International where she shared the BMW, and raced in the Highlands 6 Hour with circuit owner Tony Quinn and his grandson Ryder Quinn aboard the Celtic Racing Porsche GT4 RS ClubSport.
Palermo has already had a taste of Bathurst this year as she and fellow West Australians Garry Edwards and husband Lib Palermo. they brought their Holden Commodores and her Mercedes-Benz C63 to compete in the Duggan Family Hotels Combined Sedans which supported the 12 Hour.
Team Buccini Racing’s last Bathurst outing was in the 12 Hour. The team’s Ginetta G56 GT4 had a difficult race with a broken axle, fuel issues, front wheel and suspension damage. Power steering failure ultimately ended the race for team principal Paul Buccini, Aaron, Zerefos, Colin White and Owen Hizzey.
“All three ladies are more than capable to make this year a success,” said Paul Buccini.
“Unfortunately, ladies don’t get enough attention or credit by the media, events etc that they rightly deserve, and we need to make some noise to change that.”
The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour will be held over the Easter weekend on March 29-31 with the race scheduled to start at 11:45am AEDT.