BEN BARKER RETURNS TO GROVE RACING FOR BATHURST 12 HOUR

Ben Barker return to Grove Racing for the Bathurst 12 Hour – Photo: Supplied

Ben Barker will re-join Grove Racing for the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour alongside father and son, Stephen and Brenton Grove.

The trio make up a strong combination in Class B aboard a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, which will field a special Australian green and yellow livery as well as feature a boxing Kangaroo for the event.

It’ll mark the fourth time that the 26 year-old international Porsche star will join the Grove team, a combination that has featured on the Class B podium three times, including a class win in 2014.

The UK based FIA WEC driver is excited to return to Australia in February and compete at one of his favourite race tracks in the world.

“I’m feeling good, feeling positive,” said Barker.

“Obviously we have the added addition of another Grove in the car, so good opportunity for Brenton to get some miles under his belt and do his first Bathurst 12 Hour.

“I’m super excited to be driving with him and driving with Stephen again, it’s going to be good fun. It’s going to be a case of staying out of trouble as it always is at Bathurst.

“Bathurst is probably my favourite track in the world. It’s the most demanding mentally and physically as well because of the heat.

“It’s got demanding cambers, the elevation that’s involved in the track is challenging so it’s very technical, very unique and there’s nothing else like it really.

“Once you get yourself into that synchronisation and flow it’s really enjoyable, but it can bite.”

The Groves will run a special boxing Kangaroo livery for the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour – Photo: Supplied

Team owner Stephen Grove is thrilled to have Barker re-join his Melbourne based squad for the Mt Panorama event.

“Once we determined that Brenton was going to be driving next year, there was no doubt as to who we wanted to occupy the last seat,” said Grove.

“Ben [Barker] is a tremendous driver and a great friend and we’ve had lots of success over the years. I’m thrilled to have him back again.

“It’s going to be so special to share a car with Brenton, he’s done really well this year and has even surprised me a little!

“I’m really excited to be able to drive alongside him and hopefully share some of my endurance racing experience with him”

Grove looks to add to his extensive endurance racing resume, competing at Bathurst only a few weeks after making his Dubai 24 Hour debut.

“After racing in the COTA 24H race earlier this month, I wanted to try and do as many endurance races as possible next year,” said Stephen.

“I really enjoy being a part of that team atmosphere which is why I wanted to compete at Dubai. So to go to Bathurst after two consecutive 24 hour races was something I looked forward to.”

Young gun Brenton is also pumped to hit the track in February for his first ever Bathurst 12 Hour.

“I’m really excited to drive for the team,” said Brenton.

“I’ve been around the event lots in the past, mainly running the team, so to be able to drive next year is pretty cool

“Bathurst is such an amazing track and the team has a lot of history up there, so I hope I can play my role and have a decent result.

“Driving with Dad will be a pretty proud moment, we’ve spoken about this for a while so to finally put the plan in motion is really exciting.

“Ben has been a good friend of mine and has given me a lot of help throughout my career, so I’m thrilled to drive alongside him and continue to soak up as much information as possible.”

The 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour will take place from February 2-4.

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