HONG KONG-based GruppeM Racing has become the first international team to commit to the 2022 Bathurst 12 Hour.
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The Mercedes-AMG squad will return to Mount Panorama in a bid to claim Australia's international enduro in their third attempt.
GruppeM have risen to become one of Mercedes-AMGs most competitive teams and been a perennial contender for 12 Hour honours since finishing third on their debut in 2019 with drivers Maximilian Buhk, Raffaele Marciello and Maximilian Gotz.
The trio started on pole position and were in contention throughout the day before ultimately grabbing a spot on the podium on their Bathurst debut - winning over the local fans with their instant competitiveness.
The team went one better in 2020, starting third but finishing second on the road behind the winning Bentley - though a 30-second post-race penalty for a pit stop infringement dropped Buhk, Marciello and Felipe Fraga to a still-strong sixth in the final classifications.
As well as claiming a Bathurst victory, GruppeM says they also want to challenge for the broader 2022 Intercontinental GT Challenge title as well - a series that commences at the Mount next February.
"This will be our third attempt at Bathurst 12 Hour. We love the place," GruppeM team owner Kenny Chen said.
"The track is great, it always gives an exciting race and the Aussie fans always give tremendous support, so the atmosphere is fantastic.
"In 2019 we came third, in 2020 we came second on track but were given a 30 second post-race penalty. For 2022 we are going for the win. Furthermore, we are looking to take the whole IGTC title.
"We know that even with the hurdles that COVID-19 creates, the great people at both Supercars and SRO will make Bathurst a huge success."
The 2022 Bathurst 12 Hour will be contested between February 25-27.
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