Schneider Leads with Four Hours Complete at Bathurst

Photo: John Dagys

Erebus Racing leads the way at Mount Panorama with four hours complete in what’s already been an incident-filled Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hours.

Bernd Schneider currently holds control, with the No. 1 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 enjoying a 20-second lead over Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 37 VIP McLaren MP4-12C, which runs in second.

The No. 3 Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra of Rene Rast is third, ahead of Eric Lux’s No. 25 United Autosports Audi in fourth. Erebus’ No. 63 Mercedes completes the top-five overall in the hands of Will Davison.

There have already been a number of race-ending accidents, most notably a heavy impact between the No. 33 Clearwater Racing Ferrari 458 Italia GT3 of Hiroshi Hamaguachi and the Katsumasa Cyio-driven No. 32 Nissan GT-R GT3 at McPhillamy in the third hour.

The accident brought out a lengthy safety car period for the cleanup of both cars, which have been retired.

Another early race favorite, the No. 23 Lago Lamborghini Gallardo, dropped out after Peter Kox hit a kangaroo on the fifth lap. The No. 63 Erebus Mercedes of Jack LeBroc was also collected in the incident, which damaged the SLS AMG GT3’s splitter.

The second Class A Lamborghini has also retired, following a heavy accident by Ross Lilley’s No. 48 M Motorsport entry in the fourth hour, also at McPhillamy.

Trouble  hit the No. 84 HTP Motorsport Mercedes of Thomas Jaeger, who collided with Rick Kelly’s Nissan in the opening hour before suffering a puncture and suspension damage while under a safety car.

Class B is currently being led by the No. 45 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car of Duvashen Padayachee, after electrical issues hit the pole-sitting No. 14 Rotek Racing Audi, which led overall early in the hands of Oliver Gavin.

The No. 12 IceBreak Competition Motorsports Porsche of David Calvert-Jones runs second in class and in 9th overall.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John