Whincup, Stanaway in Pro-Am Triple Eight Merc for Bathurst

Triple Eight Race Engineering has confirmed details of its second Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour entry, running in partnership with Johor Motorsports Racing and Boost Mobile.

The No. 99 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo will see Prince Jeffri Ibrahim joined by former 12-Hour winner Jamie Whincup and newly-signed Triple Eight Supercars enduro driver Richie Stanaway.

It joins the teams Pro class entry to be driven by Shane van Gisbergen, Broc Feeney and Maximilian Götz.

The 2023 12-Hour will mark Prince Jeffri’s second 12-Hour, the Johor driver finishing third in last year’s race with van Gisbergen and Feeney on his debut.

He and Feeney then won the Bathurst three-hour GT World Challenge enduro last November to cap off his strong domestic season.

Whincup won the race in 2017, sharing a Ferrari 488 with Craig Lowndes and Toni Vilander that was supported by Triple Eight.

He then finished second in 2018, fourth in 2019 and third in 2020 in his most recent start.

“Teaming up with both Prince Jefri and Richie and having the backing of Boost Mobile and Johor Motorsports Racing is an exciting prospect,” Whincup said.

“Prince Jefri achieved an amazing podium finish at last year’s race, and we all know what Richie is capable of around Mount Panorama.

“To have two Triple Eight-prepared cars participating in this event alongside the world’s best teams is an experience we should all cherish.”

Stanaway will make his Bathurst 12 Hour debut this February, with the race a return to an endurance format where the 31-year-old Kiwi is well-versed.

Stanaway contested five seasons in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Aston Martin, including three starts at Le Mans, before returning to Australia to race Supercars.

He returned to the track last October in a Bathurst 1000 wildcard run by Erebus Motorsport, driving with Greg Murphy.

“I did a lot of GT racing when I was in Europe, but it’s been two years now since I’ve driven a GT car,” Stanaway said.

“I’m looking forward to getting the feeling of a GT car again with its extra downforce compared to what I’ve driven in the past few years.

“It’s going to really helpful for me to drive at Bathurst again and complete more laps than what I would have done at last year’s Bathurst 1000.

“It’s one of the top international events in the world, and I’m looking forward to experiencing what it’s like. I’m also excited to be sharing a car with Prince Jefri and Jamie – he’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole career.”