Shock Le Mans 24 Hour winner Earl Bamber has declared that he still harbours a desire to race in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Bamber rocketed into the world motor racing spotlight as part of the third Porsche 919 Hybrid line-up alongside F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg and Nick Tandy at Le Mans, with the trio out-running their more fancied opponents in the La Sarthe classic last month.
The Malaysian-based Kiwi who is a double Asian Carrera Cup and Porsche Supercup champion, says a start at Mount Panorama remains on the bucket list despite being given the cold shoulder by V8 teams a couple of years ago when he was sniffing around for a long distance drive.
“I remember I went up and down the (V8 Supercar) pit lane a few years ago and asked if I could try for an endurance seat and I got told I should do Development Series or forget about it,” Bamber told Speedcafe.com.
“So then I have never really tried again.
“Maybe now I have won Le Mans the phone might ring.
“Maybe if I ask someone I might get a better reception.”
The youngster’s only chance came via a test for Stone Brothers Racing in May, 2010, as his career transitioned from open-wheel to GT racing.
Bamber, the first Kiwi to win Le Mans since Chris Amon and the late Bruce McLaren took a Ford GT40 to victory in 1966, has stamped himself as one of the hottest endurance drivers in the world.
“I would love to do Bathurst one day. I did it in the 12 Hour and won Class B with Stephen Grove and Ben Barker (in 2014),” said Bamber.
“I would also like to do the 1000. I think as a Kiwi growing up you always watched Bathurst every October.
“I remember as a kid you always grew up thinking you would like to do it.”
Bamber, who was the star guest at a Michelin Pilot Sport Experience day at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia last week, said he hoped Porsche would give him clearance if any V8 enduro drive eventuated.
“Now with the sportscar racing I do, I would hope Porsche might let me go and do it if there was an opportunity,” he said.
“But it is also hard to jump into to those cars with the current tyre rules.
“There is such limited testing and such limited tyre life as well.
“The guys doing it are world class, when you look at the Australian and Kiwi guys driving Supercars.
“I know my team-mate in the US, Jorg Bergmeister, came and did some races (2011 Gold Coast 600) with the Kelly guys and he said those guys were on a different planet when it came to looking after tyres and everything else like that.
“It would be difficult, but it would be a great challenge.”
Competing in only two events with Porsche’s prototype program, Bamber’s full-time role sees him race for the German marque in the GTLM class of the United Sportscar Series.