Tekno Autosports has revealed that German GT racer Marc Lieb and Formula 1 test driver Lucas di Grassi will pair up with Jonathon Webb and Michael Patrizi respectively in October’s Armor All Gold Coast 600.
The confirmations leave Tony D’Alberto Racing as the only outfit yet to announce its co-driver for the internationally flavoured race, although it is believed that Italian Tonio Liuzzi is likely to return to the team he drove for last year.
Tekno’s two signings have been orchestrated by the team’s British-born manager Bruce Jenkins, who has a web of international contacts from his pre-V8 Supercars career.
The 32-year-old Lieb raced on the Gold Coast in 2011 for IRWIN Racing. The long-time Porsche factory driver currently races full-time for the Felbermayr-Proton squad in the World Endurance Championship.
Di Grassi meanwhile is hasn’t raced full-time since his season with the now Marussia-branded Formula 1 team, but heads up Pirelli’s F1 tyre testing program. The 28-year-old also made an appearance fr Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.
Di Grassi had been set to drive with Tekno at Surfers Paradise last year before withdrawing just weeks prior to the event due to clashing commitments.
Jenkins says that he expects both drivers to put in strong runs with the team’s Triple Eight Holden chassis this year.
“Both Marc and Lucas bring a wealth of knowledge, technical skills and experience to Tekno’s endurance team,” said Jenkins of the signings.
“Marc’s performance on track last year was impressive; Jonathon and Marc will be one of the pairs to watch.
“Lucas’s background, demonstrated by his formidable result this past weekend for Audi in Brazil, will guarantee car 91 will be competitive.”
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will take place on October 19-21.
See below for the almost-complete event entry list
TeamVodafone
Sebastien Bourdais (#1), Richard Lyons (#888)
Walkinshaw Racing
Ryan Briscoe (#2), Darren Turner (#22), Peter Dumbreck (#66)
Tony D’Alberto Racing
TBA
Stone Brothers Racing
Simon Pagenaud (#4), Jeroen Bleekemolen (#9), David Brabham (#47)
Ford Performance Racing
Will Power (#5), Mika Salo (#6), Nick Heidfeld (#55)
Kelly Racing
Marco Andretti (#7), Franck Montagny (#11), Graham Rahal (#15), Justin Wilson (#51)
Dick Johnson Racing
Gianni Morbidelli (#12), Max Papis (#17), Peter Kox (#18), Boris Said (#49)
Brad Jones Racing
Stephane Sarrazin (#8), Nicholas Minnasian (#14), Jamie Campbell Walter (#21)
Tekno Autosports
Marc Lieb (#19), Lucas di Grassi (#91)
Lucas Dumbrell Motorpsort
Mike Conway (#30)
Garry Rogers Motorsport
James Hinchcliffe (#TBA), Ricky Taylor (#TBA)
