> Three Pro and one Silver Cup entry complete Intercontinental nominations
Audi Sport has confirmed its driver crews for Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli’s season opener at Bathurst later this month.
Audi Sport Team Valvoline will, for the first time, field three Pro entries in Australia’s International Enduro, which takes place on January 31-February 2. The R8 LMS GT3s feature a total of eight factory drivers plus local hero Garth Tander, who also represents Team Valvoline in the Australian GT Championship.
The three-time Bathurst 1000 winner is joined by former Lamborghini ace Mirko Bortolotti, who makes his Audi Sport debut after switching manufacturers over the winter, and two-time 12 Hour winner Christopher Mies.
Dries Vanthoor, who claimed the last of Audi’s three Bathurst victories in 2018, is again joined by fellow Belgian Frederic Vervisch. The pair won at Suzuka together last season and are joined by Christopher Haase.
The third Pro car is shared by Kelvin van der Linde, former Intercontinental GT Challenge champion Markus Winkelhock and Audi Sport debutant Mattia Drudi.
“Our tenth appearance at Bathurst marks a very special occasion. In 2011, 2012 and 2018, we won there with three different teams. Now we’re aiming for our fourth success with Audi Sport Team Valvoline,” said Audi Sport customer racing boss, Chris Reinke.
Two more teams complete Audi’s Bathurst line-up.
Tony Bates Racing’s Silver Cup entry comprising Bates, Geoff Emery, Max Twigg and Dylan O’Keeffe completes Audi’s Intercontinental nominations, while Hallmarc Racing have entered a car in the Pro/Am class.