Touring car star Gordon Shedden has headed Down Under to tackle unfinished business over one of the world’s great road courses.
The 2012 BTCC champ will make a weekend return to the Liqui_Moly Bathurst 12 Hours to pilot a Motionsport Aston Martin V12 Vantage a year after the mountain circuit saw off his debut challenge.
Fifer Shedden’s first trip ended in disappointment when a challenge for honours in a GT4 Lotus Exige evaporated relatively early in the endurance event.
He will lead the driver line-up for Motionsport’s third attempt at the circuit and Shedden plans to go the distance.
“We certainly have unfinished business at Bathurst after last year,” he told the Bathurst website.
“The Aston will be a fantastic car to have round the mountain and it will be great to be at the sharp end.”
This will be the Banbury outfit’s third attempt at the circuit.
Motionsport team principal Simon Phillips said: “We wanted to move up to class A for this year and fight with the big boys in GT3.
“It’s going to be so tough at the front, but the Aston is the weapon of choice and we’ve got some circuit knowledge. I can’t wait.”
Aston Martin Racing team principal John Gaw believes Shedden’s quality will be a key asset in the glory bid.
“Motionsport is a great team with a good reputation so we’re pleased they have added an Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 to their race car collection,” he said.
“Gordon has been talking to us for some time now so we are really pleased he is finally behind the wheel of one of our cars we are a global brand with drivers from around the world but we are also dedicated to supporting young British talent to race at the top level.
“Bathurst 12 Hour is fast becoming one of the top GT3 races in the world and we are looking forward to seeing what the Motionsport team can do there.”
A field over over 50 cars and almost 170 drivers will tackle this year’s 12 Hours over the twisting four-mile Mount Panorama circuit in New South Wales.
A public road when motor racing events are not being run, Bathurst is renowned for its 174-metre vertical drop between its highest and lowest points, with gradients as steep as 1:6.
The 2015 field features Formula 1 and GT stars, including British Le Mans winner David Brabham.
Felix Baumgartner, who in 2012 completed a skydive from nearly 40km above the earth, will also race.
Sunday’s event will be broadcast live on Australian television.
Shedden and Honda Yuasa Racing are yet to announce their plans for the 2015 BTCC season, which gets under way at Brands Hatch on the first weekend in April.
Picture by David Wardle