The trio will line up in the Nissan GT-R GT3 as the team seeks to build on the potential shown at last year’s race where Buncombe, Chiyo and Reip were joined by Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercar driver Rick Kelly in the driver line-up.

Last year’s 12 Hour was the first time a factory-entered Nissan GT-R had raced at Bathurst since Mark Skaife and Jim Richards scored back-to-back Bathurst 1000 victories in 1991 and 1992.

It became memorable for all the wrong reasons when Chiyo collided with the spun-out Clearwater Racing Ferrari at McPhillamy Park, bringing their quest for victory to an end only 59 laps in.

Buncombe will be making his third Bathurst start in 12 months, having also teamed up with Todd Kelly in the Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercar team at last year’s Bathurst 1000.

“The circuit is simply amazing, like no other,” he said.

“You have to treat it with the utmost respect. 

“My V8 Supercar experience from last year will put me in a better position this time, so I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel, especially as the flowing corners and long straights at Mount Panorama are just what the GT-R loves.

“The atmosphere at Mount Panorama is spectacular, with the most enthusiastic fans I know. 

“We showed very well last year in the running we had, so my expectations are high – I would love to walk away with a podium.”

Chiyo will return to Mount Panorama with a wealth of new experience, having raced the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in major GT events such as the Nurburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours and Macau GT Cup. 

He’s put last year’s incident behind him.

“I’m really pleased to come back to the Bathurst 12 Hour race because last year our first challenge ended after only a couple of hours due to the big accident in my stint,” he said.

“I felt so sorry for the team. That’s why I’m really looking forward to racing again at Bathurst for the revenge.”

Reip, the 2012 Nissan GT Academy Europe winner, who enters only his third year of motorsport in 2015, is one of the shining examples of Nissan’s gamer-to-racer philosophy. 

Despite having no motorsport experience just three years ago, the Belgian driver’s CV now includes a second place at the 2014 British GT Championship event at his home circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.

“Racing at Bathurst as a European is a great feeling because not that many drivers get an opportunity like this during their career,” he said.

“It’s a privilege to be given that opportunity for the second time in a row alongside Alex and Chiyo.

“For sure it will be tough, due to the track itself and the amount of traffic we have to deal with, but last year we were running in the top five when the crash happened, so we can expect at least as good as that.”

Rick Kelly is contracted to appear at the V8 Supercars test day over the same weekend as the 12 Hour.