DAVID Reynolds will join elite international squad GruppeM Racing for next weekend’s Repco Bathurst 12 Hour.
The Supercars veteran will join Maro Engel and Brazilian racer Felipe Fraga aboard the entry that sat on pole position for last year’s event and came agonisingly close to a maiden victory.
Reynolds’ drive comes as part of a new role this year as one of Mercedes-AMG’s pool of 19 factory GT drivers, joining the ‘Expert’ tier that also includes teammate Fraga and fellow Bathurst 12 Hour starter Daniel Juncadella.
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The recent Team 18 signing is one of several of local racers named by Mercedes-AMG aboard its factory-supported entries for the Mount Panorama enduro.
Jayden Ojeda’s rising reputation as a GT racer sees him join Juncadella and Maxi Götz at Craft-Bamboo Racing, another squad gunning for its maiden 12 Hour victory.
“To say my first time competing in a GT3 at Bathurst will be with Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing in a PRO entry is unbelievable!” said Ojeda. “It’s a pinch-me moment!
“I have a pair of fast and experienced teammates in Dani and Max who I’m looking forward to working with and together I believe we will make a strong combination come race day.”
Mercedes-AMG Junior driver Jordan Love will share Triple Eight’s Pro-Am entry with Jamie Whincup and Prince Jefri Ibrahim, while reigning two-time champion Kenny Habul will once again return aboard his SunEnergy1 Racing machine.
The Conrod Straight homeowner will be joined by his fellow co-winners from last year Luca Stolz and Jules Gounon, the Andorran looking to add a fourth-straight triumph to his tally as he begins the defence of his Intercontinental GT Challenge title.
“I had a nice winter as the reigning IGTC champion,” Gounon said.
“The title means a lot to me as it is something I worked to achieve for many years. You only reach it with consistent achievements in the world’s biggest and toughest races.
“This year, I would like to build on this success and drive four good races. But that will certainly be more difficult as the pressure is higher when you aren’t racing as an outsider.
“I hope for a good week at Bathurst. It is my undisputed favourite track and I can hardly wait to get back there.”
The announcements come as the manufacturer outlines its factory efforts for the 12 Hour.
“Because of our wins in the past two cars, we are in the favourites’ role at Bathurst, so to say,” Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing said.
“To live up to the high expectations, we are again relying on our established Performance Teams and a line-up of high-quality drivers and local heroes. In this demanding race, experience is a decisive factor.
“Moreover, it makes us proud that we have the largest contingent of all brands with ten cars in this year’s field of the Bathurst 12 Hour.
“We are looking forward to the competition and we are optimally prepared for the challenge.”
Opening practice gets underway at Mount Panorama on February 16.
