MEDIA RELEASE: The most successful oil brand in Bathurst’s history, Castrol, is heading to this weekend’s Bathurst 12 Hour to be part of BMW’s full scale assault on this year’s once around the clock race.
Castrol has partnered with Vodafone to be the major sponsor on the magnificent BMW M6 GT3 Supercar which will be piloted by the greatest collection of Bathurst 1000 Champions ever placed in one car.
Former rivals Mark Skaife and Russell Ingall will be joined by car owner, Tony Longhurst and two time Formula 1 podium place-getter and DTM race winner, Timo Glock from Germany.
No less than 12 engineers will be coming to Australia from BMW Motorsport in Germany to support the Castrol-backed Bathurst 12 Hour effort, along with a host of local motorsport identities.
The interest in the race this year is unprecedented from manufacturers, brands and fans alike, with the entry list forming arguably the strongest GT3 Supercar field ever assembled.
Of the 56 cars entered for the race, the driver line-ups feature eight Bathurst 12 Hour winners, 10 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winners, accounting for 30 victories in total and 7 ATCC/Supercars champions.
The international roster is similarly well-credentialed with the current World Endurance Champion, the Nurburgring 24 Hour Champion, two drivers that won the 2016 LeMans 24 Hour, the current FIA GT World Cup winner, Multiple DTM titles and more than 300 Formula 1 race starts worth of experience amongst the entry list.
Castrol will carry prominent signage on the BMW M6 GT3 with Vodafone and will engage fans around the Mountain and at home through a string of initiatives, including at-track giveaways, Facebook live videos with the drivers and insights to inside the garage.
During the telecast, Castrol will be featured in a number of personality pieces that have been developed in the leadup to this event, whilst Castrol’s guests at the circuit will watch in comfort in an interactive corporate suite that includes race radios, simulators and live coverage of the event.
The Bathurst 12 Hour is the culmination of a program that has been building momentum since October when the announcement was first made. The car has been seen at a number of major events including AutoClassica in Melbourne as well as at a number of key BMW dealerships around Australia.
Fans at home can tune into the live lights to flag coverage of the Bathurst 12 Hour on 7Mate, whilst international fans can tune into the livestream at www.bathurst12hour.com.au.
Castrol’s Facebook page is www.facebook.com/CastrolRacingAU, Twitter and Instagram is @CastrolRacingAU.
