V8 Supercars Drivers to Hit Bathurst Early

A host of V8 Supercars drivers are expected to star in the forthcoming Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour race to be held at Mount Panorama next month.

Tony D’Alberto and Dean Canto were confirmed at Ferrari team Vicious Rumour Racing today, adding to a strong list of V8 Supercars regulars including household names Craig Lowndes and Jason Bright.  

D’Alberto has a wealth of experience at Mount Panorama, with 10 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 starts to his credit but will be making his 12-hour debut at the February 7-9 event this year.

The Vicious Rumour team said they were impressed with D’Alberto’s speed, consistency and results across the 2013 V8 Supercars Championship.

The Victorian will now also be joined at the team by experienced racer Canto, making a strong combination amongst an already strong entry list.  

D’Alberto said he was looking forward to making his 12-hour debut with a competitive team.

"I'm really excited to be joining Tony DeFelice and his team for the Bathurst 12 Hour," he said.

"I have always wanted to do the event, and when Tony called I couldn't refuse this exciting opportunity! I'm looking forward to testing the car later this month at Phillip Island.

"I had a seat fit the other day and the Ferrari 458 is clearly a weapon, so I can't wait to link up with the guys at Mount Panorama."

The addition of D’Alberto and Canto to the field add to the list of V8 Supercars stars confirmed to take the starter for the 2014 race.

Other either full-time or endurance series V8 Supercar drivers confirmed for the event include Lowndes (Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 458), Bright and Warren Luff in the Rod Salmon-entered Audi R8 LMS, and David Russell (JBS Swift Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4).

Greg Murphy is set to return to the Mountain with Trofeo Motorsport in their Corvette C6R GT3 while Jack Daniel’s Nissan star Rick Kelly will lead the Nissan Athlete Global Team NISMO Nissan GTR GT3 team on their Bathurst debut.

2013 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Champion Steven Richards will combine with 2013 Dunlop V8 Supercar Series winner Dale Wood in the M Motorsport Lamborghini Gallardo, Craig Baird returns to the Clearwater Racing Ferrari 458 GT3 and Luke Youlden has been nominated as one of the ‘pro’ drivers amongst the three-car FIAT Abarth squad.

Additional V8 Supercar drivers are expected to be confirmed starters prior to the full entry list being released within the next fortnight.