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Audi ends competitive Friday on top at Bathurst

Bathurst 12 Hour
31 Jan
Four manufacturers on top in each session on a competitive opening day of 2025 12 Hour
2 mins by Zac Dowdell
  • Audi ends competitive Friday on top at Bathurst

  • Audi became the fourth make in as many sessions to top the timesheets

  • Liam Talbot quickest in #183 Jamec Racing Audi

Liam Talbot has flown to the top of the final Friday practice session at the Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour, with Audi becoming the fourth make in as many sessions to top the timesheets.

The #183 Jamec Racing Audi Talbot will share with Ricardo Feller and Broc Feeney missed the first Bronze-only session with a gearbox issue, with the reigning GT World Challenge Australia champion missing 40 minutes of valuable track time.

Talbot, back in an Audi after spending the GT World Challenge season in an Arise Racing Ferrari, flew to a 2:05.0930s, putting more than eight tenths of a second on the field.

Two-time 12 Hour winner Kenny Habul finished second in the only other Pro class entry, taking his SunEnergy1 Mercedes to a 2:05.9560s.

Yasser Shahin rounded out the top three and was the first of the Pro-Am entries in the Bend Motorsport Park Porsche on a 2:06.4500s.

Bathurst local Brad Schumacher was also impressive in the Pro-Am Ferrari 296 for Arise Racing GT, clocking the fourth fastest time on a 2:06.7820s, and was the only other driver within two seconds of Talbot's benchmark.

The top Bronze entry was the Heart of Racing by SPS Mercedes piloted by Ian James, who fifth outright on a 2:07.2040s, ahead of Stephen Grove in the Grove Racing Mercedes.

The top Silver class car was the Supabarn Supermarkets/Tigani Motorsport Mercedes, with James Koundouris setting a 2:08.1770s to slot into eighth.

David Crampton set a 2:14.0970s in the Invitational KTM to go 11th outright, whilst next in the cue was Anthony Levitt in the lead GT4 entry, the #24 Method Motorsport McLaren.

Saturday's running will start with two all-in 60 minute practice sessions at 8:35am and 10:25am, before Qualifying begins at 1:05pm.

Qualifying will be broadcast live in Australia on the Seven Network, Fox Sports and Kayo Sports. Check your local guides for details.

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