Legendary race team Manthey EMA is set to return to the Bathurst 12 Hour next month, with two entries into the famous event, one in each the Pro and Pro-Am categories.
Having taken second place at last year’s event, the squad will be looking for more as the 2024 Intercontinental GT Challenge season begins at Mount Panorama Circuit.
The fan-favourite green and yellow livery, dubbed ‘Grello’ will adorn the #912 Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Pro car. Fresh from his victory for Porsche Penske Motorsport at the Rolex 24 at Daytona last weekend, Matt Campbell will target a second Bathurst 12 Hour victory, sharing the car with two-time 24 Hours of Spa winner Laurens Vanthoor and Bathurst debutant Ayhancan Güven.
Former Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Alessio Picariello will tackle the race in the red-liveried #911 Porsche 911 GT3 R (991.2), entering under 'The Bend Manthey EMA.' Joining him in the Pro-Am car is Porsche Supercup race winner Harry King, who had success at Mount Panorama in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia last year, clinching victory in all three of the races at the circuit. Completing the line-up is Australian driver and two-time GT World Challenge Australia Pro-Am Champion Yasser Shahin, who will partner with Manthey EMA in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Known for its pre-sunrise start, the 12 hour event in the Australian state of New South Wales is a challenging race, with Mount Panorama Circuit’s tight walls punishing any mistakes. The 6.213-kilometre lap opens with the long Mountain Straight, before climbing sharply through several sweeping turns, reaching the highest point on the circuit just before Turn 10, ahead of the downhill, twisting turns of Skyline, The Esses and The Dipper. The lengthy Conrod Straight follows, with a quick flick to the right at the Chase, with the final few corners completing a 2-minute lap.
Track action on the mountain begins on Thursday 15 February, with qualifying a day later and the race beginning at 05:45 local time on Sunday 17 February.
Matt Campbell, Porsche 911 GT3 R #912: “I'm excited to be rejoining EMA Motorsport and Manthey for the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hours. It's one of my favourite events and tracks in the world. I might be a bit biased, but I really enjoyed last year and I hope we can improve one more position on our second place finish. I'm really looking forward to it.”
Yasser Shahin, Porsche 911 GT3 R #911: “The Bathurst 12 Hours is Australia's greatest race and our number 911 car will showcase the new partnership with Shell V Power. It's probably the only event on home soil where the Bend-backed team has yet to win, so we'll be looking to change that with a strong performance and driver pairing. Harry was incredibly fast in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia at Bathurst and Alessio is a recognised world-class driver. We are very well prepared for the race and will give it our all.”
Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director of Manthey Racing GmbH: "After a very successful start to the 2023 motorsport year for us at Bathurst, we are delighted to be back at the Mount Panorama circuit in 2024. Obviously, we have some unfinished business from last year's second place and hope to finish as high up the podium as possible this time around with the two Porsche cars we are fielding. This will be no easy task on the demanding circuit and with strong competition, but with our well-rehearsed team and strong driver pairings in both 911, we believe we have a good chance of taking our first win at Bathurst."
Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “We’re looking forward to seeing Manthey Racing back in Australia, fielding two entries in the Bathurst 12 Hour. The “Grello” is a fan favourite the world over and we have no doubt will be a welcome addition to the grid, along with its sister car 'The Bend Manthey EMA.' We’re very pleased to have four competitive Porsche entries at the this incredible event - Bathurst is always a highlight on the calendar so I’m excited to see how the Porsche quartet performs.”
