New Zealand driver Tim Miles will be in action this weekend, partnering with Supercars driver Jack Smith in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.
The duo will race in the three-hour enduro over the iconic Mount Panorama, Smith making his GT racing debut after three seasons in Supercars.
“It’s definitely unlike anything that I’ve ever driven before,” said Smith.
“GT racing is something that I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. A lot of options have been presented, but for different reasons didn’t work. This opportunity with Tim had came up and I grabbed it. We tested together really well at Phillip Island, he is a great guy and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“You can never have enough laps around Bathurst. You get better every time you go there. But I’m not putting any expectation on results. I’ll need to adapt to the car as quickly as you can and find the best way to make time, which will be different to a Supercar.”
Like Smith, Miles is also familiar with the circuit, having competed there just last month in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup. The Kiwi drove a full season in the Pro-Am class of that competition, finishing ninth.
As was the case last round at The Bend, Supercars champion Shane van Gisbergen will sit out to be replaced by Red Bull Ampol Racing teammate Broc Feeney. The young driver will partner full-time stalwart Prince Jefri Ibrahim in the Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The team coped just fine without the Kiwi last round, winning the sole race after Race 2 was called off due to inclement weather.
The outfit will once again field a second car for the event, Jamie Whincup and Prince Jefri’s brother, Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim.
Other familiar faces in the field include Michael Caruso, partnering with Marc Cini in an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II and Bathurst local Brad Schumacher partnering with Supercars driver Tim Slade, also in an Audi R8.
Qualifying begins on Saturday at 12.05pm on Saturday, followed by the race at 12.40pm on Sunday.
All racing will be available on live stream.
