Car Collection Motorsport targets 12-Hour start via Bathurst debut

SUCCESSFUL Germany-based GT squad Car Collection Motorsport will compete in this weekend's Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS finale - with a longer term view towards a Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour entry in the future.

In what will be the German outfit’s official debut on Australian soil, Car Collection Motorsport has entered its Porsche 911 GT3 R into the round, with the US based "Hash" and Alex Fontana of Greece and Switzerland to pilot the car in the Pro-Am class.

The pair have together enjoyed a strong campaign behind the wheel of the Car Collection Motorsport Porsche in 2024, having contested this year’s ever-challenging GT Open Championship before completing the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli’s Indianapolis 8 Hour event last month.

Of the two drivers, Fontana boasts more experience having had more than 200 starts in his racing career with a number of GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and Endurance championship titles to his name, while Patel is currently in his first season of racing.

“Taking part in the finale of the GT World Challenge Australia in Bathurst still feels incredible, even though I'm already there,” said Fontana.

“Our goal is to gain new experiences, learn and discover this amazing circuit.

“We have a clear intention to take part in the 12h race one day and want to prepare ourselves. This time we are here to learn and have fun, as it is the first real season for my teammate Hash and the first time for me in this iconic venue.

“A big thanks goes to the Car Collection family who have made everything possible this year: from Europe to the USA to Australia, with much more to come.”

Car Collection Motorsport itself also has a wealth of motoring experience, competing in top-tier GT events around the world, where it has enjoyed many victories and podiums in some of the world's biggest races, including the 6 Hour of Abu Dhabi and in the the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and Endurance championship.

The team has also picked up its fair share of season silverware since its foundation in 2002.

While both drivers and the team have never raced in Australia before, the three parties will use the opportunity to gain important experience at the famous Mount Panorama circuit in preparation of a potential appearance in next year’s much-anticipated Meguiar's Bathurst 12 Hour.

“After the successful GT Open season and the guest start in Indianapolis, the next adventure awaits us,” said Team Principal, Peter Schmidt.

“The Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst is one of the biggest challenges in GT3 and we are very much looking forward to proving ourselves here as well.

“Even though it's a first for all of us, we obviously want to put in another good performance.”

The German entry, along with the rest of the strong field, will contest two 60-minutes outings across the weekend, with Friday’s two practice sessions to set up Qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday before the 2024 season wraps up with Qualifying and Race 2 on Sunday.

The title decider will see the Arise Racing Ferrari driven by Liam Talbot and Chaz Mostert square off against the Shaw & Partners Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 driven by Brad Schumacher and Will Brown in a fight for the GTWC title.

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS season finale takes place at Mount Panorama as part of the Bathurst International on November 8-10, with live coverage on the Seven Network.