Heart of Racing Aiming to “Keep It Off the Walls” at Bathurst

Photo: Gruppe C Photography/SRO

Heart of Racing by SPS drivers Ian James and Alex Riberas are taking a cautious approach to their Repco Bathurst 12 Hour debuts alongside fellow Bathurst rookie Ross Gunn, with the American team aiming to “keep it off the walls.”

The accomplished IMSA and SRO America squad is taking part in its first Australian enduro, fielding a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo in association with German outfit SPS automotive performance in the Pro-Am class.

“It’s been a bucket list for me personally but also for the team a little bit,” said team principal James. “It’s kind of surreal to be here, actually.

“It’s the first race here for all three of us. That will be a tall order. Pro-Am focus for sure, and just try to get to the end, keep it safe, and see where we end up.

“Obviously Alex and Ross are top professionals and they can make it happen and I’ll try to keep it off the walls.”

While James and Gunn have previous experience with the Mercedes-AMG in 24H Series races, Riberas is set to get his first competitive laps in the car this weekend.

“Being here is one of the bucket list races that we have had on the horizon for a long time,” Riberas told Sportscar365. “To be here still feels pretty unreal.

“Just to be able to do the race on Sunday is going to be a dream come true.”

While using the typical tools to prepare for a new track, Riberas admitted that none of it compares to seeing it in person for the first time.

“[I did] a lot of simulator work back at the shop in Phoenix and at home, just trying to get tips from drivers that have been successful here,” he said.

“As we saw yesterday with Ian, nothing really prepares you for this track. Once you get here, everything is a lot more intimidating.

“We’ll have to stay progressive and keep it off the walls.”

When asked to elaborate, Riberas added: “We went around the track with the car and I was like, ‘Yeah the simulator is good but this is a lot more savage.’

“It’s a lot more aggressive than you would expect when you watch the on board camera or you do it on the sim.

“I think it’s definitely going to take some time to adapt. For me, it’s also my first time driving the Merc, so it’s going to be a lot of adaptation for one weekend.

“But we’re going to enjoy it.”

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