A TICK over 1.2 seconds - it may not seem like a long period of time in the context of 12 hours, but it was enough to help lure Rick Kelly back to Mount Panorama.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That was how close the Nissan NISMO GT-R which Kelly shared with Florian Strauss and Katsumasa Chiyo came to claiming the chequered flag in the 2106 edition of the Bathurst 12 Hour.
But since Kelly stood on the podium at Mount Panorama that afternoon as a runner-up he has wanted another shot at glory in the enduro. Come next January he will get it.
Kelly has been named as part of an all-star R Motorsport team which will tackle next year's Bathurst 12 Hour, the Supercars star to join five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and 2019 runner-up Jake Dennis behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vantage GT3.
"I couldn't be more excited to be heading back to the Bathurst 12 Hour and to be joining the R-Motorsport Team in the Aston Martin," Kelly said.
"Since my last 12 Hour campaign in 2016 I have been keeping a close eye on the event with a keen eye to returning. It's such a great event with many different challenges to what I'm used to in the Supercar at Bathurst.
"Most drivers would agree that visiting Bathurst just once a year isn't enough. Having the chance to push the Aston across the top of the mountain is something that I'm really looking forward to, in places where we are on the brakes in the Supercar, these guys are on the throttle. It's going to be an awesome challenge."
While Kelly has done countless laps at Mount Panorama as part of the Supercars' iconic Bathurst 1000, next year will mark just his third tilt at the 12 Hour.
He made his debut in 2014 in a Nissan GTR, but it crashed out after 58 laps.
His return two years later unfolded much better. He started the race and inside the first hour, charged from 13th on the grid into sixth. From there he and his team-mates went on to claim second.
Kelly revealed that he has been "working the R Motorsport Team in the background for several months now to piece this project together", a project which could very lead him to another 12 Hour podium.
R-Motorsport enjoyed second place outright in this year's edition of the 12 Hour, that result also marking the best performance of an Aston Martin in the 18-year history of the event.
Just as Kelly brings with him the experience of two Bathurst 1000 wins, 2008 Indianapolis victor Dixon and GT3 star Jake Dennis are also skilled drivers.
"Getting the chance to visit Portugal and test the Aston is a real thrill, especially having the chance to share the car with Scott and Jake, two world class talents that will be a great asset to us as we piece together our attack on the mountain early next year," Kelly said.
"I had to pinch myself when I saw the Aston for the first time with all three of our names above the door. Jake's efforts last year were nothing short of impressive both in the race and also in qualifying, and I'm stoked to work with Scott again.
"We know him best for his Indy achievements but his efforts in our Supercar at the Gold Coast a few years back were outstanding considering he hadn't driven that car before, so I'm sure he'll be on top of the Aston in no time."
The 2020 Bathurst 12 Hour event starts January 31.
