Sports car racer Marino Franchitti is pitching for a start at the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in February.
Franchitti is yet to cement a firm deal for 2015 however is hoping to land a Bathurst start which could complement his push for campaigns in the World Endurance Championship and the United Sports Car Championship in the US.
The 36-year-old is coming off a successful year after being part of the winning line-up alongside the experienced Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas at the Sebring 12 Hour in a Ganassi-prepared Ford-Riley.
“I watched closely as the Bathurst 12H has grown and it has quickly become one of the big international sportscar races that we all want to come and do,” Franchitti told Speedcafe.com
“The last couple of years I’ve had clashes with the race, but the date works for me next year and I’m really keen to come and be a part of it, I love Australia and I jump at any chance I have to get down there.”
Franchitti’s only previous experience with the Mount Panorama track was in 2011 when he cut passenger laps for Holden ahead of his V8 Supercars debut alongside Warren Luff in the LDM Commodore at the GC 600.
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“I was at the Bathurst 1000 in 2011 and Holden had me do some passenger rides for them, which let me have a look at the track and it more than lives up to its legendary status.”
“A 12H race would give me lots of time to learn it properly and hopefully I can get a seat sorted and be part of this great event next year.”
Earlier this year Franchitti was in a prime position to take an outright podium at the Daytona 24H however the floor failed in the closing hour of the race.
Franchitti has done some testing and consulting for an Audi R8 GT3 team in the US this year as well as cutting some laps in a McLaren GT3 recently.
“Even though I’ve mainly been a prototype driver lately, I started in GTs, have had a lot of success in them and try and get back into them whenever I can.”
The Bathurst entry list has swollen to over 50 cars across four classes (plus an invitational class) with 28 confirmed GT3 entries.
The outright contenders are punctuated by key international entries including HTP Mercedes SLS AMG , AF Corse Ferrari F458s, Audi R8 LMS Ultra and a Rotek Racing Mercedes SLS AMG.
As well there are a couple of M-Sport built Bentley Continental GT3s which will be commandeered by the marque’s works drivers Guy Smith (2003 Bentley Speed 8 Le Mans 24 Hour winner), Steven Kane and Andy Meyrick.
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