VALENTINO ROSSI TO RACE IN BATHURST 12 HOUR

The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will feature arguably the highest profile entry in the event’s history in the form of Valentino Rossi, who will co-drive a BMW M4 GT3 for Team WRT, alongside Belgium’s Maxime Martin and Brazilian Augusto Farfus, at the 3-5 February event at Mount Panorama.

Arguably the best known motorcycle racer on the planet, Rossi won nine world championships in 26 years of grand prix motorcycle competition, including seven in the premier 500cc/MotoGP class. After retiring from MotoGP at the end of 2021, Rossi turned to sportscar racing and has taken part in sprint and endurance events at iconic circuits like Brands Hatch, Imola, Hockenheim and Spa, but this year’s 12 Hour will be his first taste of Mount Panorama.

Due to COVID-19 cancellations of the Australian Motorcycle Grands Prix in 2020 and 2021, Aussie fans missed seeing Rossi on two wheels back then, so the 2023 Bathurst 12 Hour will give locals their first chance to catch “The Doctor” in action since 2019, albeit in a very different form to what they’re used to.

"Valentino Rossi is one of the biggest names in the world of motorsport and we're proud that the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be his first experience of Mount Panorama,” said Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director, Shane Rudzis.
"Having had so much success here on two wheels, Valentino has an enormous Australian fanbase and we are prepared for a significant increase in attention as a result of his entry.
"It's one of the most significant driver announcements in Bathurst 12 Hour history and we are thankful to BMW, WRT, Valentino and his team for making it happen. We can't wait to welcome him to Mount Panorama.”

Since retiring from MotoGP, Rossi has focussed on sportscar racing, competing for Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and Endurance Championships. As part of that series, the seven-time 500cc/MotoGP World Champion tackled the famous Spa 24 Hour race, so will bring some endurance driving experience to the 12 Hour, even though it will be his Mount Panorama debut.

Martin and Farfus have both driven at Bathurst before - Martin in 2020 and Farfus in ’18, ’19 and ’20, with a best finish of fifth overall for Farfus in the 2019 12 Hour.

Team WRT’s 2018 win came in an Audi, but this year they will run two examples of the brand-new BMW M4 GT3, which will be making its Australian racing debut at the 12 Hour.

The Rossi/Martin/Farfus car will carry the Italian’s iconic #46, while the other car, #32, will feature 2018 winner, Belgium’s Dries Vanthoor as lead driver, alongside 2022 DTM Champion Sheldon van der Linde from South Africa and Belgian rising star, Charles Weerts.