BAMBER WILL MISS BATHURST 1000

Kelly Grove Racing has announced that former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Earl Bamber will be unable to co-drive alongside Andre Heimgartner in this year’s Bathurst 1000.

Due to a GT race date change overseas it is now impossible for the New Zealander to compete in the ‘Great Race’ this year.

Bamber will now be racing GT machinery in the United States of America and join his fellow countryman at Bathurst.

Kelly Grove Racing team co-owner Stephen Grove expressed his disappointment in announcing Bamber’s unavailability.

“It’s extremely disappointing because I know how good Earl is having raced with him before and having seen him race first-hand,” Grove said.

“However, there’s been a clash with the change of date for the Bathurst 1000 with his commitments in the United States.

Grove expressed that he intends to re-hire the services of Bamber for next year’s Bathurst 1000 as long as there is no date clash.

“There’s no question that we’ll work with Earl to get him back next year hopefully and beyond, He’s an extremely good talent,” he said.

“We’ll definitely be bringing him back if all the dates align for 2022, no question.”

The team teased that Bamber’s replacement co-driver will be confirmed in the coming days.

“We’ve got a really exciting announcement who Andre’s co-driver will be, which we’ll confirm in the coming days,” Grove concluded.

The two-time Le Mans winner and former FIA World endurance champion has previously raced in the Bathurst 1000.

Bamber served as Shane van Gisbergen’s co-driver at Triple Eight Race Engineering in 2018, the pair notably finished second at the Sandown 500 before securing a top five result in the 1000.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.