Competition Motorsport to return to Bathurst

LA based Competition Motorsports has announced the final piece of the puzzle as they attempt to win their first Bathurst 12 hour title in February 2017.

German Marc Lieb has been confirmed as the third driver for the team, joining accomplished drivers David Calvert-Jones and Patrick Long in the Pro/AM class of the event.

Lieb, overall winner of the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, is no stranger to the infamous Bathurst circuit having competed in a V8 Supercar at the Bathurst 1000 with Tekno Motorsport in 2013.

Long has also tasted success at Le Mans. He is a three-time American Le Mans Series driver's champion, class winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 At Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans and the only North American employed as a factory racing driver by Porsche.

LA based Australian driver David Calvert-Jones is excited about the opportunity to drive in his home country in what will be his fourth time competing at the event.

“The Bathurst 12 hour event has really come of age,” Calvert-Jones said.

“We are now seeing numerous factory supported GT3 programs focusing on this iconic endurance race and I’m so excited to get back to Australia and race at Mount Panorama.

“We have also again secured a long term event partner in Ice Break Ice Coffee and are absolutely delighted they are part of the program next year.”

Leading Australian beverage brand Ice Break Ice Coffee has a strong association with motorsport in Australia and is looking forward to again partnering with the American based team at the 12 Hour in 2017.

“Ice Break Ice Coffee is excited to be part of a new era of Sportscar racing through our association with Competition Motorsports in next year’s Bathurst 12 Hour race,” CEO of Parmalat Australia Craig Garvin said.

“All three drivers have an enormous amount of talent and we are very much looking forward to another opportunity to be aligned with such a professional and competitive team.”

President and CEO of Porsche Motorsports North America Jens Walther said he is excited about the calibre of talent behind the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R and the opportunity to put together a competitive entry.

“This is the fourth time that CJ (Calvert-Jones) is racing a Porsche at Bathurst. We are very happy that Marc Lieb joins CJ and Patrick, who had a strong showing in 2015 and gained invaluable experience for this year’s race at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit. The lineup and the team make for a strong entry and definitely one to watch.”

Competition Motorsports will be supported by Australian Porsche specialist team McElrea Racing and Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) and along with major sponsor Ice Break Ice Coffee will also have support from social media orientated gifting app Whilo and Los Angeles based racing simulator manufacturer CXC Simulations.

Competition Motorsports will be completing a shake down in LA next Friday before the race car is packed into a container and shipped to Australia for arrival in early January.