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Ambrose to make racing return at Bathurst

By Thomas Miles

Australian motorsport legend Marcos Ambrose will make his racing return at Mount Panorama at the 2023 Bathurst 6 Hour.

The two-time Supercars champion and NASCAR Cup Series race winner will make his on-track comeback in a Garry Rogers Motorsport Ford Mustang, but the appearance is more likely to be a one-off rather than full-time thing.

Marcos Ambrose at the recent Race Tasmania event representing Garry Rogers Motorsport. Image: Jack Martin Photography
Captured at 2022 ARG R3 – Bathurst 6 Hour on 20220415 by Jack Martin Photography.

He shares the car with George Miedecke and Tim Brook with the squad determined to hit the grid after withdrawing on the eve of the 2022 event due to unresolvable car issues.

With plenty of kilometres to be racked up thanks to a shakedown at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday, the team is confident it can be competitive in Class A2 being one of the most experienced on the grid.

Last year’s near miss has fuelled Ambrose and the rest of the team with ambition to take on Mount Panorama.

Marcos Ambrose will drive the Miedecke Racing Ford Mustang at Bathurst. Image: Supplied

“I am looking forward to finishing this story of the GRM Mustang that we built for the Miedecke’s,” Ambrose said.

“It was supposed to run last year but we had issues with the Transmission and the car just wasn’t ready. 

“They have been working on it in Queensland for a while, been testing and it’s ready. We will have a shakedown at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday.”

In addition to racing, Ambrose will double up as a TV commentator on the Stan Sport broadcast of the Bathurst 6 Hour.

When the drive was announced last year Ambrose was quick to confirm the Bathurst 6 Hour is “not a comeback” rather a pause on his retirement.

The star has done little racing since his last Supercars stint as initially a full-time driver before stepping back as a mentor and co-driver at DJR Team Penske in 2015.

He has done demonstration laps such as stints at the 2020 Adelaide 500 and 2021 Tasmania SuperSprint, while he has spent recent years as GRM’s competition director.

Marcos Ambrose winning the Adelaide 500 in 2004 - Photo: Supplied

Marcos Ambrose winning the Adelaide 500 in 2004 – Photo: Supplied

Despite dominating Supercars with back-to-back titles for Stone Brothers Racing in 2003 and 2004, Ambrose could never conquer the Great Race.

Fourth place in 2004 was his best result, while he took pole in 2001 and showcased great speed throughout his career at Mount Panorama, but never enjoyed much luck.

In addition to the special sight of the 28-time Supercars Championship race winner and back-to-back Watkins Glen NASCAR Cup Series race winner back at Bathurst, the drive is a continuation of a special partnership.

Ambrose has connections with both long-time racer and 1997 Primus 1000 Classic third-place finisher Andrew Miedecke and his son George Miedecke.

Marcos Ambrose has recently been helping young drivers at Garry Rogers Motorsport. Image: Daniel Kalisz Photographer

George Miedecke drove for Marcos Ambrose Motorsport in the NASCAR Late Model series in 2011 and 2012 when the Australian was winning races for Richard Petty Motorsports.

Ambrose said racing with George behind the wheel and Andrew providing support through the Miedecke Motor Group at an “old school” event will be a lot of fun.

“I’m really looking forward to teaming up with George and Andrew, we’ve been good friends for a long time and it should be a good weekend enjoying the car and the race,” he said.

“It feels old school to me, private teams working on their cars all year for the one big race.

“There’s lots of speed difference between the cars, different configurations and 6 hours is the perfect length for the race.”

Andrew Miedecke believes the Ambrose led Ford has the ability to create an “upset” and beat the BMWs.

“I’ve been to Bathurst many times and I see the Bathurst 6 Hour as being the race that I first started competing in 1986,” Miedecke said.

“To me it’s nostalgic and a really good race.

“I think there’s an opportunity for an upset. The Mustang won’t be as quick up the hill as the BMWs but we’re hoping with our reliability, strategy and our drivers we hope to be in the fight at the end.”

The 2023 Bathurst 6 Hour will take place on April 7-9.

For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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