Mortimer Motorsport prepares to leave the country this week ready for the team’s debut assault on the Bathurst 12 hour Endurance race on the ninth of February.
Flanked by supporters Gull New Zealand, Te Manava Resort Rarotonga Cook Islands and DSV Air and Sea New Zealand, the team are headed for Australian shores with their GT4 M3 BMW in tow -returning off the back of a third place podium finish in the 2013 South Island Endurance Series.
The magnificent BMW has been re-worked ahead of Bathurst, with aims in place for the team to finish within the fields top 15 and on podium in the Group D Super Production Class.
Heading into what is known as the Southern Hemisphere’s most gruelling test of Motorsport, the driving team will consist of Warwick Mortimer and son Andre as well as British imports Michael Lyons and Father Frank Lyons.
Although Lyons is no stranger to Australian soil (the young Englishman made his racing and podium debut at Philip Island at the tender age of 16) it will be the first time Michael takes to the wheel at Mt Panorama.
Both Warwick Mortimer and Michael Lyons hold impressive race histories – in the 2011 season Lyons and Mortimer collectively topped drivers around the world by holding the most number of podium finishes than any other pair globally.
Warwick has held multiple national titles in various classes; the most recent of championship accolades being winner of the NZ BMW Driver Series Open Class in the teams BMW GTR as well as becoming the NZ and UK Formula 5000 Class A winner in 2011.
Over 50 teams will set out for the non-stop, 12 hour race which exposes drivers and teams and to extreme pressures both mechanically and mentally.
“It will be a huge test for the team as well as the car” says Warwick, “although this is what we have been equipping ourselves for over the last 12 months.”
“The Bathurst 12 hour has been a long term dream for us, so there has been no stone left unturned in getting the M3 prepared to hold a competitive place throughout the race.”
“We are ready for everything the mountain can throw at us, and we’re proud to have our British counterparts Michael and Frank on board flying the Kiwi flag in Australia.”
Following the assault on Bathurst, Mortimer Motorsport will return to New Zealand to campaign the GT4 M3 in the recently announced North Island Endurance Championship commencing on June 7 at Pukekohe Park Raceway.
Before leaving NZ, the team will shake off any last minute nerves at this month’s prestigious Ferrari Festival, where Warwick will tackle Hampton Downs in the Mortimer Motorsport Surtees Formula 5000 as well as his McLaren Can Am M8 E/F 850 HP monster. Son Andre will drive the teams Historic Toyota Celica GT, and Michael will steer the visiting teams Lola T400 Formula 5000 – a record holder at Hampton Downs. Father Frank joins the team in his Eagle FA 74 as well as Judy Lyons (Michaels Mother) who will drive a Lola T332.
The Liqui Molly Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race commences at 6.15am Australian time, and can be viewed via live stream at www.bathurst12hour.com.
