Maro Engel will return to the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour next year in a Black Falcon/Craft-Bamboo Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Engel will partner German compatriot Luca Stolz and 2018 DTM champion Gary Paffett in the one-off tie-up between the two teams.
The former Erebus Motorsport Supercars driver last raced in Australia in the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour, when he criticised then-co-driver Shane van Gisbergen on live television for making “a lot of mistakes” during the race.
He later expressed regret for his ‘heat of the moment’ comments.
Engel, Stolz, and Yelmer Buurman won this year’s Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup drivers’ crown, and Black Falcon the same honour for teams.
Stolz was also a class winner in GT3 Pro-Am in this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour when he finished third outright with Porsche team Black Swan Racing.
“I’m really happy to drive at Bathurst again after I couldn’t race there because of a clash with the Formula E in 2018,” said Engel.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the big highlights in the calendar with a fantastic track and a great atmosphere.
“After a fantastic year 2018 with Black Falcon I’m happy to race with the team together with Craft-Bamboo Racing in Bathurst for the first time – hopefully we can start 2019 in the same way we ended the last season.
“Luca and Gary are strong team-mates who were very successful in 2018. I think we bring a strong package and will give it our all.”
While Engel and Stolz both have Mount Panorama experience under their belt, Paffett will be making his debut at the circuit.
“I’m very excited to be racing at Bathurst with Black Falcon and Craft-Bamboo Racing, as well as two great team-mates. ,” said the Briton.
“It’s going to be my first time in Bathurst, obviously I’ve got a lot to learn and prepare myself beforehand.
“My team-mates have been there before, so we should have a good package as I can learn from them.
“Bathurst is very different to the endurance races I have done before but I’m really looking forward to the event and I hope that we can be successful.”
Craft-Bamboo Racing recently switched its manufacturer allegiances from Porsche to Mercedes-AMG, with the partnership bringing Black Falcon back to the mountain after six years away.
On that occasion, the Mercedes-AMG run by Black Falcon in combination with Erebus Motorsport finished second outright.
Organisers released the entry list earlier today, ahead of the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour on January 31-February 3.
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