Ellis Replaces Injured Auer in Craft-Bamboo Bathurst Lineup

Craft-Bamboo Racing has drafted in Philip Ellis to replace the injured Lucas Auer in its driver lineup for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour this weekend.

Auer sustained back injuries in a solo accident during practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona last Thursday, ruling him out of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race and the upcoming Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli round at Bathurst.

Ellis, who was one of Auer’s Winward Racing co-drivers for Daytona, will share the No. 77 Craft-Bamboo Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with Nicky Catsburg and reigning IGTC champion Daniel Juncadella.

The 30-year-old Swiss claimed Pro-Am honors in last year’s IGTC season-ending Gulf 12 Hours driving for SunEnergy1 Racing.

Ellis also put the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG on the GTD pole at Daytona before the team was moved to the back of the grid for replacing its car following Auer’s crash.

Auer was taken to the hospital and underwent successful surgery after sustaining “significant fractured lumbar injuries” according to the Winward Racing team.

In a social media post on Sunday, the Austrian wrote: “Guys, thank you so much for all the love and messages. My surgery went very well and I’m doing good.

“Also a big thank you to the amazing medical team for taking such great care of me. I am ready for the next steps of rehab and looking forward to seeing all of you at the track soon.”