THERE was a time when Mark Webber contemplated a Bathurst 12 assault, but now he is simply happy to watch on from the pits and cheer for a Porsche success.
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The nine-times Formula One race winner is now a Porsche ambassador and was at Mount Panorama to take in the action of the annual enduro.
Webber, who has previously labelled the Bathurst 12 Hour as a “world class” event, enjoyed a lap of the famous 6.213 kilometre circuit in the Competition Motorsports Porsche 991 GT3R on Saturday morning.
He was not behind the wheel, instead competitor Patrick Long negotiated Mount Panorama, but that was good enough to satisfy Webber.
“Twenty-three years in between drinks for me around here believe it or not … it’s good to be here,” Webber, who competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship as a Porsche works driver for three years, told the event broadcaster.
In November 2013, Webber revealed on Twitter that he intended to compete in the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour alongside Eric Bana and James Tomkins.
But that never eventuated and Webber said the idea has now been cast aside.
“I’m not getting any younger and I think I’m getting less and less brave every year I feel like. I’m a professional groupie now, I watch it every year now on TV,” he said.
“Eric Bana and I were looking to do it together a few years ago. But we caught up during the week and we’ve nailed it now, so that’s over.”
Webber has enjoyed seeing the growth of the Bathurst 12 Hour and its ability to attract big-name driver and manufacturers.
But when it comes to which manufacturer he hopes to find success this Sunday, it is Porsche who has Webber’s support.
“This event is getting bigger and bigger and there are some beautiful manufacturers here. Porsche, obviously we are stoked to have so many cars here going for the victory tomorrow,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great race and I’m looking forward to it.
“We’ve got a lot of competition, there’s no question about it. You’ve got to try and stay on the lead lap, hang in there.
“We’ve got a lot of experienced drivers in our cars, the factory car of Manthey-Racing, those guys are still getting up to speed.
“[But] You’ve got to be in it to win it.”
