Dixon Confirmed in R-Motorsport Bathurst 12H Entry

Scott Dixon has been confirmed for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in an all-pro R-Motorsport Aston Martin lineup for the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli season-opener.

As previously revealed by Sportscar365, Dixon will share a Castrol-liveried Aston Martin Vantage GT3 with Virgin Australia Supercars driver Rick Kelly and R-Motorsport’s own Jake Dennis.

The team confirmed the entry alongside a partnership with Castrol and BP for February’s event, which will mark Dixon’s first race at Mount Panorama and his maiden appearance in GT3 machinery.

The New Zealander is a five-time IndyCar Series champion, with his most recent sports car role being as part of Chip Ganassi Racing’s Ford GT program.

It saw him compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on four occasions, including claiming a GTE-Pro class podium finish in 2016.

Kelly is a Supercars regular who owns and races for his own team — also backed by Castrol — in the Australian tin-top series, bringing to the R-Motorsport squad plenty of Bathurst experience.

One of the Swiss outfit’s SRO GT Series and DTM drivers, Dennis finished second outright at the last edition of the Bathurst 12 Hour.

“I have never raced at Bathurst before, but I’ve watched races at the Mount Panorama Circuit back when I was a teenager,” said Dixon.

“What I like most about the circuit is the high commitment, especially across the top, the high-speed passages and then down the chase and all the way to the last corner.

“I love doing the long-distance races. It complements quite well with the IndyCar series at the moment to do Daytona 24h and Sebring 12h, but also Petit Le Mans, which was the first endurance race I did back in 1999.”

The Swiss squad, which finished second overall in this year’s race with a previous-gen Vantage GT3, will field a two-car effort for the Jan. 31 – Feb. 2 event.

Drivers for the second Aston have yet to be announced.

Team principal Dr. Florian Kamelger described the Dixon-Kelly-Dennis lineup as the “best possible combination” of drivers to tackle Bathurst.

“We are delighted that stars such as Rick and Scott will be there to boost our efforts in the Bathurst project and would like to thank our partners, Castrol and BP, for their amazing support,” Kamelger said.

“They are the ones, who have made it possible for us to take part in this sensational race in the first place.

“After our excellent second place finish at the start of this year, another podium finish in the endurance classic in 2020 would be a dream result.”