Gounon dreaming of Bathurst three-peat
Jules Gounon is determined to repeat his memorable 2022 12 Hour victory as he aims for a third straight race win.
Gounon will return with SunEnergy1 Racing with Luca Stolz and Kenny Habul for this weekend’s race.
Frenchman Gounon combined with German Stolz, Austrian Martin Konrad and Bathurst local Habul to win last year’s race.
It was Gounon’s second on the trot, having met the chequered flag first for Bentley in 2020.
Gounon is one of just 10 drivers to have won the race multiple times.
Should he win on Sunday, Gounon will become the first driver to win the Bathurst 12 Hour three times.
The #75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG is one of eight Pro entries, and is shaping as a race favourite.
Key to the #75’s hopes is Habul’s performance, given Gounon and Stolz are both factory Mercedes pros.
Bentley victory in 2020
“We want to repeat what we did last year,” Gounon told Supercars.com.
“It will be tough — this year, there are so many strong cars.
“We are in Pro with Kenny, so it would be the first time a Bronze driver would win outright.
“That’s our goal, but we have to take it step by step, have a clean race and see how we go.”
The SunEnergy1 crew is as tight-knit as they come — for the second year running, Habul will be hosting his team on his property on Conrod Straight.
The memories of 2022 are also spurring on Stolz, who could become the second repeat winner from Germany after Christopher Mies.
Mies and Craig Lowndes are the other two drivers in the 2023 field who could also win their third 12 Hours this weekend.
“Last year was such a nice story because Kenny bought a house on Conrod Straight,” Stolz told Supercars.com.
“We stayed there, and we’re staying there again this year. We’re back for another shot and everything feels good.
“New car, same livery, but like Jules said, we’re in Pro — it will be a tough challenge.
“We are ready… we do so many races a year, we always want to fight.
“You’re only as good as your last race, which in Jules’ case, was amazing at Daytona.
“Mount Panorama is a new challenge… it’s one of the top three tracks in the world.
“I get goosebumps every time I come back.”
The two international stars arrive in form after a blockbuster start to the 2023 racing season.
Only last weekend, Gounon won the GTD Pro class at the Daytona Rolex 24 with Maro Engel, Daniel Juncadella and Cooper MacNeil.
SunEnergy1 success in 2022
This weekend, they are all rivals — Engel will race for GruppeM Racing, while Juncadella will race for Craft-Bamboo Racing.
Engel was the only driver who could match Gounon last year, with the battle for victory going down to the wire.
Shortly after Bathurst, they will jet off to South Africa for the Kyalami 9 Hour.
For now, Gounon is remaining calm despite the overwhelming anticipation, but remans fixated on the prospect of win No. 3.
“It’s amazing to be back in Australia, sitting here in the sun,” Gounon said.
“We flew to 24 Hour of Dubai, then Daytona, then flew straight here. Then we’ll fly to Kyalami.
“It’s a busy time but special to come back to the Mountain, the most beautiful place in the world.
“It’s always a special feeling driving in and seeing the ‘Mount Panorama’ sign.
“Every year here is a privilege.”
Cars will hit the track at Mount Panorama for four practice sessions on Friday.
Tickets for the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour are on sale now on Ticketek.com.
Multiple-time Bathurst 12 Hour winners
John Bowe: 2010, 2014Garry Waldon: 1992, 1993Rod Salmon: 2008, 2009Damien White: 2008, 2009Garry Holt: 2007, 2010Paul Morris: 2007, 2010Christopher Mies: 2011, 2012Darryl O’Young: 2011, 2012Craig Lowndes: 2014, 2017Jules Gounon: 2020, 2022
