Thousands welcome 2022 Bathurst 12 Hour back to town

The LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour field received a warm welcome back to Bathurst during the annual 'Town to Track' parade.

Australia’s International enduro kicked into gear on Thursday with the entire field rolling into the city from Mount Panorama.

Thousands of fans braved the wet conditions to line the streets of Bathurst to see the race’s stars and their cars.

For the first time, more than 400 flags were handed to the two schools along the route, seeing students welcome the field to the city as they drove past.

A huge crowd, including a number of interstate travellers, filled Russell Street to get up close with their favourite cars and drivers.

The rain cleared as the procession parked in the city centre, with fans checking out some of the fastest GT3 cars in the world.

Two-time Bathurst 12 Hour winner Craig Lowndes will race a Porsche GT3 Cup Car in support of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia this weekend, raising funds and awareness for the important cause.

“It’s great to see so many people lining the street and here in town to say G’day,” Lowndes said.

“There’s a lot of anticipation for the event to be back and the fact so many people braved the weather to come out today is a great sign for the rest of the weekend when the weather will be better.

“We’re looking forward to a great weekend, raising awareness and funds for a great cause, but also having a really good time as well. I can’t wait!”

German Mercedes-AMG ace Maro Engel is one of a host of high-profile international stars joining the field this year.

Driving for the Hong Kong-based Craft-Bamboo Racing, Engel is a former Bathurst 12 Hour polesitter and finished fifth the last time the event was held in 2020.

“It’s so good to be back here and be welcomed as always by the people of Bathurst,” Engel said.

“It’s always good to come back here, Mount Panorama is one of the best tracks in the world and the race has grown to become one of the best GT races around. It’s one all the drivers want to win.

“It’s a super-strong field this year and there are lots of potential winners, so even though it’s a different looking race this year, it’s always tough to win at Bathurst and this year will be no different.”

Local racer Brad Schumacher steps into the factory Audi Sport Team Valvoline entry this weekend, driving alongside international aces Nathanael Berthon and Kelvin van der Linde. 

Schumacher, who lives on Mount Panorama and regularly races his own privateer Kelso Electrical Audi R8, said he was enjoying the opportunity to drive for the best team in the sport - at what is literally his home circuit.

“It’s always special to race here in your hometown, and to do it for the best team in the sport is even better,” he said.

“We are really excited about the weekend, these guys (Audi Sport) prepare a really good car and it’s going to be good to work with the guys I’m driving with. They’re the best in the business.

“It’s just great to have the event back in Bathurst and come here with a chance of competing at an outright level.”

The LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour field bursts into life tomorrow with four practice sessions on Friday.

The program will include one session held in the evening to give the field their first taste of night running in anticipation of more than 90-minutes of racing on Sunday morning before sunrise.

Tickets for the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour are on sale now.