SINCE the Bathurst 12 Hour first welcomed GT-3 specification cars in 2011 no manufacturer has enjoyed more success than Audi, so it speaks volumes when it's claimed this year's edition of the enduro will boast its strongest ever Audi assault.
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Nine years ago when the Audi R8 LMS GT-3 made its Bathurst 12 Hour debut, they finished one-two at Mount Panorama and were a lap clear of their nearest rival.
In 2012 an Audi R8 again claimed the chequered flag, while in 2018 it was the Audi Sport Customer Racing entry steered by Robin Frijns, Stuart Leonard and Dries Vanthoor that was declared victorious.
This year the Australian-based Audi Sport Team Valvoline will have three 2019 Audi R8s on the grid for the 12 Hour and each boasts a strong driver combination.
Vanthoor will share the seat of the #2 Audi with Frédéric Vervisch - the man who joined him in claiming wins in the 2019 Nurburgring 24 Hour and Suzuka 10 Hour. Christopher Haase, himself a Nurburgring 24 Hour, rounds out that driver combination.
Bathurst 1000 and Bathurst 24 Hour victor Garth Tander will be joined in the #22 car by Chris Mies and Mirko Bortolotti.
Mies is a two-time Bathurst 12 Hour victor and clocked the fastest ever lap at the Mount in a GT-3 - 1:59.2910 in an Audi R8 LMS at the 2018 Challenge Bathurst. Bortolotti's resume includes a pair of Daytona 24 Hour crowns.
Then in car #222 is Audi Sport drivers Kelvin van der Linde, Marcus Winkelhock and Mattia Drudi.
"It's arguably one of the best Audi driver line ups for a three-car team ever assembled," Audi Sport Team's Steve McLaughlan said. "That's three very competitive cars, any of which is capable of a podium finish.
"We've been so close the last couple of years - qualified strongly, led laps, but just little things you could never account for have kept us from that elusive podium, but I think with the roster of drivers we have this year ... we might be able to change all that this year."
