German oil brand Liqui-Moly promises to back the Bathurst 12 Hour in until at least 2022 as Mercedes prepares its armada.
Liqui-Moly says the Mount Panorama endurance race (Jan 31-Feb 3) is one of the biggest races on the international calendar, seconded only by the Daytona 24 Hours.
“This helps promote our business in Australia of course, but it also has a broader worldwide impact,” says Liqui-Moly marketing manager Peter Baumann.
“The endurance race has become established as a regular international fixture in recent years, teams come from all continents, so the media presence is global as well,” he explains.
“Liqui-Moly will continue to give its name to the 12-Hour race in Bathurst until at least 2022. We will have then done ten years,” Baumann confirms.
The brand is sold in over 120 countries and reported nearly €545m in 2018 sales.
Meanwhile, compatriot brand Mercedes-Benz is preparing for its assault on the Bathurst 12 Hour with its largest AMG GT3 contingent ever.
Six AMG GT3 racers will thunder around the mountain piloted by Virgin Australia Supercar legends Craig Lowndes who won the Bathurst 1000 in 2018, seven-time champion Jamie Whincup, and Kiwi top-gun Shane van Gisbergen in a single entry by Triple Eight Race Engineering.
Also piloting an AMG will be 2017 Bathurst 1000 winner David Reynolds, with factory teammates Maro Engel, Thomas Jäger and 2018 DTM champion Gary Paffett.
An AMG Mercedes will also play safety car and course car for the fifth consecutive B12H weekend, with the E63 S and C43 in those roles respectively.
Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific will also pay tribute to its record ANCAP five-star safety rating in 2018 in the A-Class, with the ANCAP logo emblazoned across the car.
Mercedes-Benz AP managing director Horst von Sanden says the B12H is a big weekend for the marque.
“It promises to be another exciting weekend for our customers and racing enthusiasts in Australia, and the many fans watching from around the world,” he says.
“The iconic Mount Panorama racetrack is also an ideal location for Mercedes-AMG to emphasise the importance it places on safety in motorsport, as supplier of the official Bathurst 12-Hour Safety Car,” von Sanden explains.
“This year marks the highest number of Mercedes-AMG vehicle entries, accompanied by a strong line-up of local, international and factory drivers,” he adds.
Entry #19, #75, #77, #777, #888 and #999 will all wear the three-pointed star and AMG signature badge.
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