Whincup, Stanaway headline second Triple Eight entry

Triple Eight Race Engineering will enter a star-studded second Mercedes-AMG in this year’s LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.

Jamie Whincup and Richie Stanaway will be joined by Prince Jefri Ibrahim for the February 3-5 event.

The Pro-Am #99 Mercedes-AMG will be entered in conjunction with Johor Motorsports Racing and Boost Mobile.

The car will compete alongside Triple Eight’s Pro line-up of Shane van Gisbergen, Broc Feeney and Maximilian Götz.

The #99 car will carry major backing from Boost Mobile and Monochrome Group.

The latest announcement comes after Stanaway was confirmed alongside van Gisbergen for the 2023 Supercars enduros.

Kiwi Stanaway’s first taste of Triple Eight machinery at Mount Panorama will come eight months earlier than expected.

The 2022 12 Hour saw Triple Eight-run cars finish first and third.

The team also won the 2017 race, with Whincup behind the wheel that day alongside Craig Lowndes and Toni Vilander.

The 2023 race will be Stanaway’s 12 Hour debut, Whincup’s first since 2020, and the second for Prince Ibrahim.

The Prince finished third last year alongside van Gisbergen and Feeney, and is excited to go around once more.

"Bathurst has always been a special track, and one of my favourites,” he said.

"This year's Bathurst 12 hour will be interesting as there are a lot more cars and international teams entering.

“Competition will be high, but I'm really looking forward to working alongside Jamie who has a lot of experience, and wins, at this track.

"It will be my first time driving with Richie, and I'm really excited by our team this year."

“The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the highest-regarded events on the international motorsport calendar,” Whincup added.

“You just have to look at some of the names participating in their year’s race to prove that.

“Teaming up with both Prince Jefri and Richie and having the backing of Boost Mobile and Johor Motorsports Racing is an exciting prospect.

"Prince Jefri achieved an amazing podium finish at last year’s race, and we all know what Richie is capable of around Mount Panorama.

“To have two Triple Eight-prepared cars participating in this event alongside the world’s best teams is an experience we should all cherish.”

For Stanaway, the 12 Hour returns him to GT racing, the Kiwi formerly impressing in Europe.

"This year’s Bathurst 12 Hour is going to be a great race to be a part of,” he said.

"I’ve never raced at the 12 Hour before. I did a lot of GT racing when I was in Europe, but it’s been two years now since I’ve driven a GT car.

“I’m looking forward to getting the feeling of a GT car again with its extra downforce compared to what I’ve driven in the past few years.

"It’s going to really helpful for me to drive at Bathurst again and complete more laps than what I would have done at last year’s Bathurst 1000.

“It’s one of the top international events in the world, and I’m looking forward to experiencing what it’s like.

"I’m also excited to be sharing a car with Prince Jefri and Jamie – he’s someone I’ve looked up to my whole career."

Tickets for the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour are on sale now on Ticketek.com.