Ice Break Competition Motorsports will return to Mount Panorama and the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in 2015, this time in a bid for overall honors.
After competing in the previous two 12 Hour events in Class B, Ice Break Competition Motorsports will next year challenge the world’s leading GT teams and drivers armed with a Porsche 997 GT3R in Class A, the outright class for FIA GT3 specification cars.
The Ice Break Competition Motorsports program will once again be headed by USA-based Australian, David Calvert-Jones, who will be joined by American sports car star and Porsche factory driver Patrick Long, and V8 Supercars Dunlop Series ace Chris Pither.
For the third year in succession, leading Australian-based Porsche squad McElrea Racing will provide personnel and infrastructure for the entry, supported by American Bob Faieta of Competition Motorsports.
In the 2014 race, Calvert-Jones, Long and Alex Davison finished ninth outright and second in Class B, having led the class until suffering two late-race tyre punctures.
Since last February’s 12 Hour, Calvert-Jones has won races in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (Platinum Masters division) and has driven a Porsche 911 in the TUDOR United Sportscar Championship (GT Daytona class) as well as a Ford Mustang in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.
“It truly is a highlight of the year for me to come home and race at this incredible circuit and event, next year more than ever as we will be outright contenders for the first time,” Calvert-Jones said.
“We are delighted to have Ice Break extending its support for the 2015 race, and are excited to welcome Chris Pither to our driving line-up.
“Chris’ undoubted talent and experience on the Mountain will make an excellent addition alongside Patrick Long, who has proven himself over the last decade as one of the world’s very best Porsche and GT racers.”
Long raced for Porsche North America in this year’s TUDOR Championship, where he was crowned one of the Tequila Patron Endurance Cup Champions (GTLM) and won the GTLM class at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Long’s extensive season of international sports car commitments included the Californian’s 11th start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he partnered Hollywood actor/racing driver Patrick Dempsey for the second successive year.
Long was recently confirmed as one of Dempsey’s team-mates for a full assault on next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship with the Proton Competition team.
“Every year the Bathurst 12 Hour grows in profile to the point that it is now one of the most prestigious races on the international GT calendar,” Long said.
“It goes without saying that Bathurst is one of the most awesome circuits in the world and I cannot wait to get back to Mount Panorama – not only for the track itself but to experience the very enjoyable vibe which Australians go about their motorsport.
“Next year’s field is shaping to be the biggest and best in the race’s history, and I am thrilled we will have an outright FIA GT3 package to ideally be at to the head of it. I am also very grateful that Ice Break is back to support us once again.”
Kiwi Pither is a new addition to the team, but comes with significant Bathurst experience including three starts each in the Bathurst 1000 and 12 Hour, as well as a 12 Hour Class E victory in 2012.
Pither is also a former V8 Ute series champion and this year registered his first ever Dunlop Series race and round win in Townsville.
The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will take place on Feb 6-8 and for the first time will be broadcast live in its entirety across Australia on the Seven Network.
