French newcomer Vortex looking to shake up Bathurst 12 Hour
A distinctive French V8 Vortex sportscar will be a unique addition to the Invitational class at next year’s Bathurst 12 Hour in February.
Vortex has entered the February 16-18 race for the first time with one of its wild V8 powered sports cars with Lionel Amrouche, Julien Boilot and Philippe Bonnel at the wheel.
Created in 2015 the French constructor based in Pezenas in the south of France is fronted by Olivier and Arnaud Gomez, who have more than 50 years of experience under their belts.
The Vortex 1.0 on track. Image: Supplied
Arnaud Gomez is a credentialed French driver with six French championships plus multiple starts at Le Mans, while Olivier is a noted motorsport engineer and driver.
Vortex itself has been a regular in the European based 24H Series and won the 2021 GTCX teams championship with six class podiums from seven starts in the Vortex 1.0.
This is the car it will bring to Bathurst having competed seven years and accumulated 200 starts.
However, it has recently announced a new ‘2.0’ car which will run the same Chevrolet power plant mated to a carbon chassis and bodywork.
Bathurst is part of a big 204 planned for the manufacturer with races across Europe and the UAE.
Bathurst 12 Hour event director Shane Rudzis cannot wait to welcome Vortex to the grid.
The Vortex 1.0 on display.
“I think the Vortex is going to be one of the most interesting additions to the Bathurst 12 Hour grid we’ve seen in a long time,” he said.
“It draws on the heritage of the race where we have always seen interesting machinery in the Invitational Class alongside the GT3 cars that battle for the outright win.
“We have been in touch with the guys from Vortex for some time and they are very keen to get to Bathurst and show their car to Aussie fans and tackle the Mountain for the first time.
“They are a professional team, the cars are well engineered and their drivers will have lots of endurance racing experience, so we are looking forward to what is shaping up to be a really good fight for the Invited class next February.”
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