Bathurst 12 Hour: BMW and Mercedes-AMG Lock Out Front Row in Thrilling Qualifying Session
Mount Panorama witnessed an electrifying qualifying session for the 2024 Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, as BMW and Mercedes-AMG secured the top two spots on the grid. Sheldon van der Linde, driving the #32 WRT BMW M4 GT3, clinched pole position, marking BMW’s first at Bathurst in six years, with a blistering lap time of 2m01.9810s. This sets the stage for a captivating battle on Sunday, as the lights go out at 5:45am local time.
Pirelli Shootout Thrills
Van der Linde’s impressive performance in the Pirelli Shootout on Saturday afternoon placed him at the forefront, with Broc Feeney of the #888 National Storage Mercedes-AMG closely trailing in second, just 0.256 seconds behind. The 29-car field, minus the withdrawn #50 KTM XBOW, will provide a competitive and unpredictable race, with several top contenders vying for the top spot.
Driver Insights
Van der Linde, sharing the #32 WRT BMW with Charles Weerts and Dries Vanthoor, expressed his excitement, stating, “Just coming back to Bathurst and driving the track is an honor. My team-mates have done an amazing job so far.” However, he acknowledged the challenge, adding, “I was pushing on the second lap and unfortunately I went off.” Feeney, poised for a strong performance alongside Will Brown and Mikael Grenier in the Mercedes-AMG, shared his thoughts on the qualifying session: “It’s hard work across the top of the Mountain but it is a great car.“
Notable Contenders
Other top performers include Maro Engel of Team GruppeM and Matt Campbell of Manthey EMA, securing third and fourth positions respectively. Luca Stolz, driving the SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG, rounded out the top five. With the stage set for a fiercely competitive race, fans can anticipate a gripping showdown as the drivers tackle the iconic Mount Panorama circuit.
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