FOR the past five years when Mount Panorama has hosted the Bathurst 12 Hour event, Grant Denyer has been amongst the drivers putting their skills to the test in the world renowned enduro.
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This week Denyer is once more attempting to conquer the famous 6.213 kilometre circuit, but his mission at the Bathurst 12 Hour event will be a little different.
This time instead of tackling the headline enduro – one he did for the first time in 2007 – Denyer forms part of a two-car all-Bathurst team in the Radical Australia Cup.
While Dave Pennells and Matt Windsor steer the #99 PMF Motorsport Radical SR3RS, Denyer joins Brad Shiels in the #216 entry.
“It’s really cool, I’ve driven with some really cool teams over the years. I love the event, initially it was the first motor sport event I ever went to,” Denyer said.
“So it has a soft spot in my heart, it’s part of the foundations of my racing career, so it’s great to drive here.
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“While this event is growing hugely on a global scale, you still want your local guys in it. I walk around the joint for fitness, so it’s nice to be able to turn a steering wheel around the place. It’s a really wild joint.”
As Denyer indicated, he has driven with a number of teams in the Bathurst 12 Hour in the past.
On debut in 2007 he enjoyed a third in class in a Subaru Australia Impreza. The following year he placed second outright in a VIP Petfoods Racing Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX.
In 2009 he again drove a Lancer and after a six-year absence, made his 12 Hour return in 2014 in a MARC Cars Focus GTC which was crowned class victor. Since then he has steered a Porsche 997, Ferrari 458, McLaren 650S, and a Mazda 3, while he earned his fourth 12 Hour class podium last year.
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A Radical podium is the goal this year, with two 45-minute races to contest.
Denyer clocked a best lap time of 2:20.0988 in qualifying on Thursday which means his car will go from fifth on the grid in the first race on Friday morning at 7.15am.
“It would be great to get a win, these guys are so excited and it’s great to be able to drive for them. I’ve not had much to do with them before, so it’s really lovely that they reached out and said let’s do the local thing,” Denyer said.
