The distinctive Wall Racing Lamborghini Huracan EVO will return to Mount Panorama to have another crack at the LIQUI-MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.
Car owner Adrian Deitz has joined forces with David Wall and Wall Racing for the fourth straight year in the red and white Italian beast.
The pair will share driving duties with the man, who steered Wall Racing to the 2022 TCR Australia championship, Tony D’Alberto and another former Supercars driver in Grant Denyer.
The Silver Class quartet hope to at least repeat its 2022 performance where it fought for the podium before being forced to settle for fifth.
It is a far rise after it finished 12th, five laps down in their maiden 12 hour together in 2019 and a DNF the following year.
In 2023 the Wall Racing team will be a renewed force with the Human having received an extensive “freshen up” over the summer.
The red and white Lamborghini Huracan EVO heads through pit lane at the Bathurst 12 Hour. Image: Supplied
But in the truest sign the squad means business, a senior Lamborghini engineer will be on hand to offer expertise having flown directly from the Daytona 24 hour sportscar race, which takes place three days before on-track action at Mount Panorama kicks off.
Head of Lamborghini Motorsport Giorgio Sanna said the Italian brand is “proud” to be at Mount Panorama.
“Lamborghini Squadra Corse is proud to support Wall Racing at the Bathurst 12 Hour with engineering support on site at the event, confirming our global assistance dedicated to all our customer teams,” said Sanna.
“Good luck to Adrian, David, Tony and Grant for this iconic race.”
Deitz said the presence of Lamborghini support at Mount Panorama will give the entire team a big boost.
“Lamborghini is sending out a senior engineer, straight from Daytona, and we are incredibly grateful to have the brand’s support for Australia’s best sportscar endurance race,” he said.
“Having someone on the ground will be a huge benefit, not just for us drivers, but also the team.
“We felt we made good steps with the car at Bathurst International in November and we are looking forward to making more improvements in the 12 Hour.”
Veteran of 151 Supercars races Wall, is bullish of what his well prepared squad can achieve.
“I don’t feel we have ever been better prepared for a Bathurst 12 Hour,” said Wall.
“The Huracan EVO is ready to go, and a short test beforehand will get the team and drivers ready for another big event.
“And personally, it’s also great to be getting back in the car with Adrian, Tony and Grant. It’s one of the best races to be in.”
Tony D’Alberto is relishing a return to Mount Panorama after winning the TCR Australia title at the track last year. Image: Daniel Kalisz
A return to Bathurst brings back happy memories for D’Alberto as he returns to the scene of his tense TCR Australia championship glory for the first time since the Bathurst International.
He said he already feels the buzz.
“The 12 Hour is the best way to kick start the new racing season, and it’s great to have the chance to step back into the Lamborghini with Adrian and the Wall Racing team,” said D’Alberto.
“There’s a great sense of anticipation for this year’s race. It will be great to have the international teams and drivers back in the field with big crowds returning.
“Wall Racing has been developing Adrian’s Lamborghini for a number of years now. I feel we have the car pretty sorted.”
But the driver with most connection to the famous 6.213km circuit is Bathurst resident Denyer, who is determined to make the 2023 12 Hour one to remember.
“I live in Bathurst, I’ve finished second in this race before and doing almost 300kmh around here in Adrian’s Lambo is one of life’s greatest ever experiences,” said Denyer.
“This was the first major race I attended as a kid. We even slept in our Toyota Corolla in the pits. So this place means the world to me. It’s where I decided I wanted to be a racing driver.”
The red and white Lamborghini will hit the track at Mount Panorama from February 3-5.
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