12 HOUR WINNER RETURNS TO MCLAREN

Bathurst 12 Hour winner returns to McLaren – Photo: InSyde Media

McLaren has confirmed a star driver line-up for the first of two 720S GT3’s that their Australian Customer Team 59Racing will field in this years Bathurst 12 Hour.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

After winning the race at Mt Panorama for the British marque in 2016, Alvaro Parente returns in 2020 to lead the teams PRO class entry alongside McLaren factory driver Ben Barnicoat and Tom Blomqvist.

In addition to winning the race in 2016, Parente backed that performance up with a podium result in the following year and has also previously won the Pirelli World Challenge in the United States.

“Bathurst is a great track with a lot of happy memories for me, so to be able to go back there with McLaren and 59Racing is very exciting.” said Parente.

“There are a lot of familiar faces in the team, so I am very confident heading into the race that we can do a good job.”

Barnicoat also returns after setting the pace during Challenge Bathurst back in November. The Brit was recently in action in Australia as part of the Asian Le Mans Series event earlier this month at the wheel of an LMP2 machine.

“A huge thanks goes to 59Racing for the opportunity to race at Mount Panorama.” said Barnicoat.

“It’s one of those bucket list circuits in world motorsport, so I’m really looking forward to driving the McLaren 720S GT3 around there.”

“It’s even more exciting that it’s the first year the car has raced there, so there will be some learning to do but we know the car and team are up to the task.”

Fellow British racer, Blomqvist, completes the line-up and while is set to make his debut at Mt Panorama, is well-credentialed in driver his own right including a win at the Spa 24 Hour in 2018.

“I am very much looking forward to joining 59Racing at Bathurst and driving the McLaren 720S.” said Blomqvist.

“Having never raced at Bathurst before it looks like a very challenging circuit, but I have some great co-drivers that I’m sure will help me.”

“I’m looking forward to racing with the Alvaro, Ben, and the whole team.”

McLaren are expected to make an announcement about their second Silver Class entry in the coming days.

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