By Tarek Ramchani
The track action started at Mount Panorama on Friday ahead of the Bathurst 12 Hours. Seven Audi R8 LMS and ultra cars are there trying to defend the 2011 and 2012 titles. A big GT3 field has been entered for the Bathurst 12 Hour comprised of challengers and regular Australian GT competitors. Three closely fought practice sessions got proceedings underway, the Audi squad did very well right from the start.
In the first free practice session it was the #9 Audi R8 LMS ultra from Mark Eddy/Mac Cini that was the fastest car of the field. A last lap charge from Christopher Mies, setting a 2.09.8768, put the "Red" Melbourne Performance Center supported R8 on the top, right ahead of a Ferrari 458 GT3. Phoenix Racing who are the defending champions ended in 9th place. The other Audis finished in 7th, 12th, 13th, 16th and 20th.
Results of the first free practice session here.
The second free practice session was a kind of deja vu. A very last lap performance from Warren Luff, driving the #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra from Rod Salmon, ince again gave the Inglstadt brand the lead on the time sheets. A very fast 2:09.3050 lap time from the "Orange" R16 ahead of the reining Australian GT Championship winning Porsche GT3 R car. Phoenix Racing improved from ninth to fifth during the second session. The other R8 LMS cars were 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th and 21st.
Results of the second free practice session here
The third and final session of the day had the #6 Audi R8 LMS ultra from Rod Salmon as the best R16 car in sixth. Phoenix Racing were in the top 10 yet again, ending in 9th place. The other Audi cars were in 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th and 23rd.
Full results of the third free practice session here.
Day 1 at Bathurst was a very positive one for the Audi squad. Two qualifying sessions are set for tomorrow and we hope the Mount Panorama enduro will have a R8 LMS pole position.
Photo credit: Bathurst 12 Hour
