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O’Keeffe thrilled for 12 Hour chance

13 Jan 2020
Young gun to tackle the Mountain aboard an Audi
2 mins by James Pavey
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Rising Supercars driver Dylan O’Keeffe is raring for another shot at the Mountain after being named as part of Tony Bates’ Audi line-up for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

O’Keeffe, Bates, Geoff Emery and Max Twigg will team up to steer the Bostik Audi R8 LMS in the Silver Cup class across January 31 to February 2.

It marks the 21-year-old’s fourth start in the renowned endurance race, having taken a class victory aboard a Porsche in his 2017 debut.

“It’s been a while since I’ve driven a full-blown GT3 car, and I’m really excited to experience the breathtaking corner speeds over the top of the Mountain,” O’Keeffe said.

“There’s nothing like the feeling of heading through Reid Park and Sulman Park, with your foot flat on the accelerator, the concrete walls a couple of centimetres away, and the sensation of the aero hugging you to the road.”

O’Keeffe is particularly looking forward to sharing the Audi with long-time supporter Bates.

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“Tony played an important part in the very early stages of my career; he was the one who gave me my very first test in a tin-top race car – when I was fresh out of go-karts, he let me drive his Porsche Carrera Cup car,” he said.

“To now be driving alongside him, in one of the biggest races of the year, will be very cool and I’m most thankful to him for the opportunity.”

O’Keeffe was the highest ranked rookie in the 2019 Dunlop Super2 Series, placing fifth in the championship and scoring a podium at Sandown.

He also made an unexpected Supercars debut at the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 in October, hopping into Richie Stanaway’s #33 Garry Rogers Motorsport entry.

With GRM pulling out of Supercars, O’Keeffe is still working on shoring up his plans for the 2020 season.

In preparation for the 12 Hour, he will test the Bostik Audi on Tuesday at Phillip Island.

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