WAYNE Russell and his sons Drew and Aaren have all competed in the Bathurst 1000 before, but have confirmed this year they’ll drive as a trio in the Bathurst 6 Hour this Easter.
The former privateer Supercars racers have done a deal to secure a new BMW M3 from Beric Lynton’s team for the production car classic, allowing the family to compete as a trio for the first time at the Mountain.
“When the opportunity to purchase the newly constructed BMW M3 from renowned car preparer Bruce Lynton Service arose I jumped at it,” says Wayne Russell, who started four Bathurst 1000 in the 1990s in privateer Commodores.
All of Russell’s Commodores and indeed every car to compete in the ‘Great Race’ in the 1990s are featured in V8 Sleuth’s unique illustrated history book covering the Bathurst race of the 90s, available here to purchase from the V8 Sleuth Store.
“I saw how much fun the Ellery family had last year, and I thought I need a BMW and Beric and his team to run it for me.
“Don’t be fooled, we are going to the event to firstly have fun and get the enjoyment of sharing a great car with my two boys. If we get a result that will simply be a bonus.
“I’m not a fast as my kids but I’ve got a ton of race craft that I’ll use to my advantage.”
Drew and Aaren have paired up at Bathurst before – they shared a wildcard Commodore in the 2015 Bathurst 1000 and finished 17th on the lead lap.
Their father is no stranger to BMWs at Bathurst either given Wayne drove a BMW M Coupe in the two Bathurst 24 Hour races in 2002 and 2003.
The Russells will run under the #58 in their BMW M3 in Class X.
They’ll face stiff competition from within the Lynton BMW squad as Beric Lynton and Tim Leahey will be joined by Will Davison.
Defending winners Shane Smollen, Rob Rubis and Shane van Gisbergen will also return at the helm of a BMW.
