Motorsport legend Icxx to return to Bathurst

Motorsport legend Jacky Icxx will return to Mount Panorama for the first time since his 1977 Bathurst 1000 victory, at the upcoming Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

Belgian star Icxx famously won the 1977 Bathurst 1000 alongside Allan Moffat, in what has since been regarded as one of the most famous Great Races of all time.

Icxx, a rookie in 1977, watched on as future Supercars Hall of Famer Moffat led Colin Bond in a famous form finish for Ford.

Nearly 50 years on, Icxx — who won eight Formula One Grands Prix and a then-record six Le Mans 24 Hour races — will feature at the upcoming 12 Hour, driving the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept in its global racetrack debut.

Icxx will get behind the wheel of the Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Concept in a series of demonstration laps across the weekend.

It will be the first time anywhere in the world that the X Gran Berlinetta Concept — first shown at the 2023 Gran Turismo World Series World Finals in Barcelona — will be seen driven in anger.

The car was created as part of Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo series, and has been available to race in the game since January 2024.

The Genesis GV60 Magma Concept, recently won its class at the famous Goodwood Festival of Speed, will also be cutting laps at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

“I have always admired Genesis for its cultured elegance and design aesthetics and sincerely believe in a relationship that is founded on authenticity and admiration for each other,” he said.

“I have also long admired Mount Panorama at Bathurst as one of the world’s great motor racing venues, and I can’t wait to put the incredible Genesis X Gran Berlinetta through its paces, for all the world to see.

“What I loved the first time was the atmosphere of Bathurst, it’s very special. The people are really passionate for motor racing. The success of the event is created by the public and the spectators and that was what was so nice about Bathurst.”

Genesis recently announced its intention to enter world of endurance motorsport with the launch of Genesis Magma Racing team. The team will compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2026, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship in 2027.

Head of Genesis Motors Australia Justin Douglass added: “With his phenomenal achievements over many years, his unique knowledge and a contributing strong desire to influence the automotive landscape, Jacky aligns perfectly with our brand.

“As a prominent figure who has been consistently ingrained throughout the evolving automotive performance landscape over the years, it is an honour to have Jacky on board to help shape the future of Genesis.”

The Repco Bathurst 12 Hour is proudly supported by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Tickets, Camping and Corporate Hospitality are on sale now, with information via the Bathurst 12 Hour website; www.bathurst12hour.com.au.