HubAuto Forced to Withdraw Bathurst 12H Entry

Porsche outfit HubAuto Racing has announced its withdrawal from next weekend’s Repco Bathurst 12 Hour due to shipping delays.

The Taiwanese team announced last month plans to be on the grid for the Intercontinental GT Challenge opener for the first time since 2020 in January, with Porsche factory trio Kevin Estre, Patrick Pilet and Klaus Bachler lined up to drive.

But on Sunday, with only a few days ahead of the start of practice for the Australian event, HubAuto released a short statement stating that problems with freighting its Porsche 911 GT3 R to Australia in time have forced it to pull out.

“I cannot begin to describe the upset and disappointment that our team, our drivers, and Porsche currently feel,” HubAuto boss Morris Chen commented.

“In the past month, we have suffered numerous and considerable delays in the shipping of our car and equipment from Asia. We have worked tirelessly with Supercars, SRO, the freight companies, the New South Wales Government, as well as other local and international GT teams to be present and ready to challenge for the Bathurst 12 Hour.

“Unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control have led us to withdraw from the event. We apologise for the disappointment this may cause our supporters. We were looking forward to returning to Bathurst and now hope to participate in 2025.

“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all involved parties for their invaluable support and assistance.”

HubAuto’s withdrawal means the entry for the Bathurst 12H now stands at 30 cars overall, and 19 GT3 cars.

The team’s absence has been offset by the late addition of a fourth car in the GT4 category, a Ginetta G55 GT4 entered by Nineteen Corporation for Paul Buccini, Owen Hizzey, Colin White and Aaron Zerefos.