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Wilson Brothers Racing is looking to transform sprint race success in the Australian Manufacturers Championship into a Bathurst triumph, with their Subaru WRX Sti a genuine dark horse for outright honours in production car racing’s jewel in the crown.
Following on from a character building three-car campaign at Mount Panorama 12 months ago, the team bounced back superbly in the regular season, with lead driver Lee Castle taking his overall victory tally for the past two seasons to eight, more than other driver in the championship.
For next weekend’s event, Castle will be joined by familiar faces within the Wilson Brothers Racing stable, Kurt Wimmer and David Wood.
The team however are under no illusions that they are facing a staunch battle against a first class field.
“I’m quietly confident we can give the Mitsubishis a run for their money,” said Wilson Brothers Racing team principal Cameron Wilson.
“We have put a massive amount of time and effort into the car since we purchased it for the 2007 Bathurst 12 Hour, and we have probably reached the absolute limit of development with it.
“Last year we had a very strong run in the Manufacturers Championship with four straight race wins in the middle of the year, we even led the final race of the year at Sandown with only a few laps to go, so we know we can beat anyone on our day.
“We probably won‘t be in a position to qualify for pole, but I think our handling package, our pit work and our very capable driver line up will be our competitive advantage.
“Pit strategy and fuel efficiency will be vital, and being a 12 hour long race for production based cars, mechanical sympathy is all important.”
While Castle and Wood back up for their second successive tilt at the 12 Hour, Wimmer will be making his debut in the race, although he has previously won on the Mountain for Wilson Brothers Racing in V8 Utes.
“Over the years we have collected a lot of good data from Bathurst working with people like Craig Baird and James Winslow, so we have some very good base lines for the drivers to work off,” said Wilson.
In a change of tradition for the team, the Subaru WRX Sti will sport race number two instead of the familiar 25 for the event, as well as a new paint scheme and sponsor line up.
Wilson Brothers Racing would like to acknowledge the continued support of Gold Coast Indoor Hire Karts, Castrol, Racing Logic, Mercury Motorsport, EcuTek, Ingear Industries, Elan Mens Salons, L’Oreal Paris Men Expert, RLS Data & Electrical, Gametraders Townsville, John Muller Tyres Plus, Contacting Public Relations, Racer Industries and Subaru Sti Australia for their assistance in team's 12 hour efforts.
Stay Tuned to the Web
The Wilson Brothers Racing website, www.wilsonbrothersracing.com will once again be a valuable resource come race weekend, with up to the minute updates and photos from trackside, right through the full 12 hour race.
2010 Bathurst 12 Hour Driver Line Up
Lee Castle
Castle will be making his second appearance in the Bathurst 12 Hour, after teaming up last year with Craig Baird and Rodney Forbes. 2010 marks Castle’s third year aboard the Wilson Brothers Racing Subaru WRX Sti, after winning more races in the Australian Manufacturers Championship over the past two years than any other driver. After making a spectacular debut at Phillip Island in 2008 where he set a new lap record, Castle has picked up race wins at Sandown Raceway, Oran Park, Symmons Plains and Morgan Park. Previously an accomplished karter.
Kurt Wimmer
For the past two-years, Wimmer has led Wilson Brothers Racing’s attack on the Australian V8 Ute Championship, winning on debut for the team at Bathurst in 2008. While the event will be Wimmer’s first crack at the 12 Hour, however he has previously campaigned in the Bathurst 1000 for the Holden Young Lions team in 2004. Highly experienced karter, Queensland Formula Ford Champion, and a leading competitor in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
David Wood
Wood is backing up for his second Bathurst 12 Hour with Wilson Brothers Racing, after racing with the team at state level since 2005. Seasoned Queensland Gemini Series competitor, has tasted success in Formula Ford (ex-Will Power and ex-Mark Webber cars) and Improved Production (ex-Wayne Wakefield Mazda), and was very impressive on debut at Mount Panorama.
Wilson Brothers Racing- Racing for a Cure
Wilson Brothers Racing is proud to support Cure Cancer Australia, an organisation that has been operating in Australia for 44 years to support young researchers at the beginning of their careers across the Cancer spectrum. Wilson Brothers Racing is helping to raise the profile of this fantastic organisation through their various motorsport activities around Australia. For more information, catch up with the team trackside.
Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour Weekend Timetable
Friday 12 February
9:05am - 10:05am Practice 1
1:50pm - 2:50pm Practice 2
Saturday 13 February
7:30am - 8:10am Practice 3
1:30pm - 2:00pm Qualifying Bottom 50%
2:05pm - 2:35pm Qualifying Top 50%
Sunday 14 February
6:30am - 6:30pm Bathurst 12 Hour
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