Turner to Make Bathurst 12H Debut in Aston Martin Vantage GT8

The Aston Martin Vantage GT8 will make its debut at February’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour with R-Motorsport, competing in the invitational class for production cars.

Aston Martin factory driver Darren Turner will lead the charge and will be joined by one of the R-Motorsport team owners, Florian Kamelger, and Markus Lungstrass.

R-Motorsport is the racing arm of Aston Martin St. Gallen and are AMR’s representative in Europe.

The team competed at the 2016 Nürburgring 24, taking third place in class and the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour will be the team’s third attempt at the race.

“We are extremely proud and honored that a long-time relationship with Darren has led into this very exciting project to compete at Mount Panorama in such an iconic GT race car,” team boss Florian Kamelger said.

“Going back to Bathurst for the third time is an exciting prospect for all of us.”

The Aston Martin Vantage GT8 is a limited edition sports car produced by the British manufacturer’s in-house Special Vehicle Operations division.

Inspired by the V8 Vantage GTE cars that compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Vantage GT8 is the lightest and most powerful production V8 Vantage ever.

Powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine, the Vantage GT8 was limited to just 150 examples and all are sold out.

“I’m hugely excited about going to Bathurst as it has been on my list for a long time,” Turner said.

“It’s one of those iconic circuits that has held some amazing races that I have seen on television and drivers who have raced there tell me it is an incredible experience.

“The 12-hour enduro gains in status every year and it’s high time that I got to have a go!

“We raced the Vantage GT8 for the first time at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. We were competitive, running at the front for the majority of the race.

“The car is very rewarding to drive and it gives you the confidence to push from the word ‘go’. I’m looking forward to joining R-Motorsport for this race and driving with Florian and Markus.”