Lowndes, Van Gisbergen to Lead McLaren Effort at Bathurst

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Craig Lowndes will spearhead YNA Autosport’s McLaren GT-supported effort in February’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, in a lineup also featuring Shane van Gisbergen.

The six-time Bathurst 1000 winner will defend his 12-hour victory at the wheel of a McLaren 650S GT3 following Maranello Motorsport’s apparent decision not to return to the Mountain next year.

Lowndes shared the 2017-winning Ferrari 488 GT3 with Toni Vilander and Jamie Whincup, who has landed a drive in a Scott Taylor Motorsport-run Mercedes-AMG GT3.

For YNA, it will be the start of a planned international motorsport campaign, which will include selected overseas events.

Lowndes will be joined by fellow Supercars champion and Triple Eight Race Engineering teammate van Gisbergen, plus Frenchman Come Ledogar.

The all-pro lineup boasts a total of 11 wins at Mount Panorama and will mark van Gisbergen’s return to the McLaren in which he set the track lap record with in the 2016 event.

“The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of my absolute favourite events, so I am delighted to have the chance to defend my win in 2017 but in a McLaren for the first time,” said Lowndes.

“McLaren is an iconic name in motor racing and the 650S is a serious bit of kit, so I am really excited about the opportunity to race it at Bathurst with Shane and Come. I can’t wait.”

“I’m excited to be back in a McLaren for the Bathurst 12 Hours,” added van Gisbergen.

“It’s good to team up with Come again, I drove with him in 2016 when we won the Blancpain Endurance Series in a McLaren 650S GT3, and driving with Craig to help him defend his 2017 title.

“I think we’ve got a strong driver line up, a strong team and a strong car, so I’m looking forward to the event.”

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