Late change to GWR / Hobson GTR squad

GWR Australia’s drivers for this weekend’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour have been confirmed, team owner Garth Walden joining Brett Hobson and Kurt Kostecki in the Hobson Motorsport Nissan GT-R for Australia’s premier international endurance race.

Kurt’s brother, Jake Kostecki, was originally slated to drive the car, but a late withdrawal due to other commitments opened the door for Walden to line up for his seventh start in the event.

Walden, who achieved 12hr class victories aboard a Commodore in the 2008 and ’09 editions of the 12 Hour, has not raced in the coveted enduro since 2014.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to compete in all the long-distance Bathurst races over the years – the 12 Hour, the 6 Hour and the 1000 – and any opportunity to race in an enduro on the Mountain is fantastic,” Walden said.

“I’m looking forward to returning this weekend alongside Brett and Kurt in the Nissan. At GWR we have a good group of personnel, so I know I will be able to focus on driving without having to worry too much about the management aspects of the team.”

Hobson, who is participating in his first 12 Hour since 2017, said the lure of competing on the Mountain was too hard to resist.

“I always wanted to come back and do Bathurst – last year some business commitments meant I was unable to run, but this year we’re giving it a big crack,” Hobson said.

“The car has had a massive birthday and it’s had a lot of new components installed. The GWR crew have done a really good job of getting their head around the GT-R and it’s the best it’s been since I’ve owned it.

“With a talented young driver like Kurt and an experienced endurance racer like Garth, we have a well-balanced combination. We’ll do our best to stay on the lead lap and hopefully be in a position to dial it up at the end.”

The GWR-prepared Hobson Motorsport Nissan GT-R will be cruising the streets of Bathurst as part of the “Track to Town” promotion tomorrow, ahead of official practice commencing on Friday.