Lowndes, Tickford drivers in all-star Bathurst 12 Hour entry
Craig Lowndes to headline all-star Bathurst 12 Hour squad
Lowndes to race with Tickford drivers Cam Waters and Thomas Randle
Trio to race Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Mercedes-AMG
Craig Lowndes will headline an all-star squad as Scott Taylor Motorsport launches an outright attack on victory in the 2024 Repco Bathurst 12 Hour next February.
The well-known STM Mercedes AMG GT3 will be entered in the outright class in 2024, with a driving squad including Lowndes and Tickford Racing Supercars Championship drivers, Cam Waters and Thomas Randle.
The shift to outright contention comes after running in class competition for the last two years, finishing 10th outright and first in class in 2022 driving a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car, and then running strongly before failing to finish last year in the Mercedes AMG GT3 while contesting the Bausele Pro-Am category.
The team’s ongoing affiliation with the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia will continue into 2024, with significant funds raised in the previous two years along with raising awareness of the prominent ‘Get Checked’ message.
The 2024 Repco Bathurst 12 Hour will be Lowndes’ 11th start in the race, his two-wins in the around-the-clock epic added to his seven in the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Tickford Racing ace Waters is no stranger to the GT3 Bathurst enduro, with 2024 to represent his third start.
He paired with British team Strakka Racing in 2018 on his debut in the race, finishing seventh outright, before joining forces with Tony Bates’ team in 2022 – finishing 11th in an Audi R8.
2024 will represent Randle’s 12 Hour debut, though he has five prior starts in the Bathurst 1000 and comes off the back of his second full-time Supercars Championship season that included a pole position and four podium finishes.
The Victorian is no stranger to GT3 machinery though, having raced a Bentley Continental GT3 in the Tin Tops category previously, as well as extensive experience in open wheelers in Europe, Australia and NZ, Sports Sedans, British LMP3 and a host of other categories.
Ashley Seward Motorsport will continue to prepare and run the STM Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the event.
2024 will not be the first time that Scott Taylor Motorsport has challenged for an outright result in the 12 Hour, the team famously challenging for the lead and victory in the 2018 edition of the race.
Further details around the livery and Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia charitable efforts will be released closer to the event.
“It’s always exciting to go to Bathurst knowing you have a shot at outright victory and I think this year we have all the pieces of the puzzle to do that,” Lowndes said.
“To come back for a third year with the STM team and knowing the enthusiasm Scotty has for us to have a crack at winning the race is fantastic.
“Cam and Tom are at the top of their game and were both really impressive in the Supercars Championship this year. They have lots of Bathurst laps so I’ve got no doubt they’re going to be very quick.
"As a team we are a very well balanced driving line up so we’re all pretty excited to get there next February.
“To know we will continue to raise funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia is great. It’s a cause close to my heart given my family history.
"To able to prompt men to have the chat and get checked, is an important message. I know the team are looking forward to continuing the great work we’ve done for the last two years.”
Waters, who finished sixth in the 2023 Supercars standings, added: “I’ve raced the Bathurst 12 Hour a couple of times and it’s always been really enjoyable.
"It’s cool to partner with my Tickford Racing teammate Tom and with Lowndesy to have a crack at winning the race this year.
“It didn’t take much time to say yes when they came to me and asked if I wanted to be involved. Scotty always does things the right way so we know we’ll have the package to be competitive.
“The race has come a long way since I last drove a Mercedes there in 2018 but I know we’ll be up to speed quickly and I can’t wait for the challenge and for racing at Bathurst two weeks in a row next February.”
Randle said: “I’ve always wanted to compete at the Bathurst 12 Hour so to be able to do it with Cam and with Craig makes it an extra special way to make my debut.
“I love driving GT3 cars, they’re an awesome race car and I can’t wait to drive it around Mount Panorama.
“The 12 Hour has become such a must-win race in the world of Endurance racing so to be going there with a realistic shot of a good result is pretty exciting.
“Men’s health is something close to my heart and to be able to spread awareness and be part of the PCFA in this way is really special.
“Thanks to Scott, Ash Seward and the STM team for having me along and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity.”
Taylor said: “We at STM are so privileged to have incredibly talented people in Craig, Cameron, and Thomas in our line-up for the 2024 Bathurst 12 Hour, they are true gentlemen both in and out of the car which is most important to Rebecca and me.
"We thank them for their commitment and in turn will provide them, by way of Ash Seward, with the sharpest tools to take on the world’s best at the mountain.
“This is our fifth time at the B12Hr having achieved second, fourth and first in class Cup Car but we have never won, yet! And so 2024 is about achieving that goal using the brilliant race craft skills of these home-grown Australian icons in Craig, Cam and Thomas.
“Equally as important of course to the race is our charity partners, Prostate Cancer Council of Australia, so please donate and of course, Get Checked."
