AS an endurance driver Darren Turner has had the thrill of standing on the 24 Hours of Le Mans podium seven times, but now he is targeting another motor sport triumph for his resume.
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The Englishman will be at Mount Panorama in February as part of the R-Motorsport driver line-up which will debut an Aston Martin Vantage GT8 in the Bathurst 12 Hour.
The factory driver will join R-Motorsport team owner Florian Kamelger, and Markus Lungstrass.
“I’m hugely excited about going to Bathurst as it has been on my list for a long time,” Turner said.
“It’s one of those iconic circuits that has held some amazing races that I have seen on television and drivers who have raced there tell me it is an incredible experience.
“The 12 Hour enduro gains in status every year and it’s high time that I got to have a go.”
While Turner has previously raced in Australia in the Supercars series in 2011 and 2012, it was for the Gold Coast round and not the Bathurst 1000.
He will join a host of big name international drivers who will make their Mount Panorama debut in the 12 Hour, but it will not be the first time Aston Martin has been represented in the enduro.
In 2015 an Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 entered by Craft-Bamboo Racing placed third outright.
Prior to that an Aston Martin Vantage GT4 placed 33rd in 2013, with a driver line-up that included Kamelger.
Like Turner, he is excited to take on Mount Panorama.
“We are extremely proud and honoured that a long-time relationship with Darren has led to this very exciting project to compete at Mount Panorama in such an iconic GT race car,” he said.
“Going back to Bathurst for the third time is an exciting prospect for all of us.”
The Vantage GT8 is powered by a 4.7-litre V8 engine and has already shown its potential.
At the Nürburgring 24 Hours, it took pole position and was leading its class before an accident forced its withdrawal. That points to a strong showing at Mount Panorama.
“We raced the Vantage GT8 for the first time at the Nürburgring 24 Hours,” Turner said.
“We were competitive, running at the front for the majority of the race. The car is very rewarding to drive and it gives you the confidence to push from the word ‘go’.
“I’m looking forward to joining R-Motorsport for this race.”
The Bathurst 12 Hour runs from February 3-5.
