NED Racing Team locks sponsors, drivers for strong B12hr campaign

EARL BAMBER Motorsport has confirmed NED Australian Whiskey will support their second entry in the 2020 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour. 

The NED Racing Team Porsche 911 GT3R will be piloted by 12-Hour regular David Calvert-Jones, endurance racing legend Romain Dumas and Porsche Junior Jaxon Evans this year, entered in the Pro-Am category.

Also returning in 2020 to support the team are key partners Virgin Australia and UMS (Urban Management Systems).

The car will be fielded by EBM, with support from Carrera Cup title-winning Queensland outfit, McElrea Racing.

David Calvert-Jones returns as the team’s resident amateur driver and will continue to serve as the binding and unassailable driving force behind the team as he seeks to return the team to the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour podium.

“NED Whisky’s partnership with the NED RACING TEAM serves as a fantastic way to continue the development and growth of the brand through an Australian-owned team led by David Calvert-Jones," said Adem Karafili, Top Shelf International Chairman.

“This partnership with EBM is a great fit for NED given the team’s professionalism, achievements and hunger for success. I know that our Managing Director Drew Fairchild, staff, investors and supporters are as excited as I am by this partnership.

“Under the overarching business entity of Top Shelf International, the company has spent more than $20 million on a start-of-the-art production facility in Campbellfield in Melbourne, including a distillery, brewhouse, maturation, canning and bottling lines, to support its ambitions to craft a portfolio of accessible Australian spirits brands.

“We can’t wait to introduce NED to the millions of dark spirits drinkers around Australia over the next 12 months.”

David Calvert-Jones finished second outright in the 2017 Bathurst 12 Hour, winning the Pro-Am class in the process.

“It's great to be heading to Mt Panorama with Earl Bamber Motorsport alongside some key staff from McElrea Racing," 'CJ' said.

"We think this is a proven and successful combination and the Bamber crew certainly know what it takes to win at the Mountain. As always, this would not be possible without our sponsors and I’m really pleased to be welcoming NED aboard as well as our returning sponsors Virgin Australia and UMS. Great to have Jaxon back with us and a proven racer like Romain just rounds things out perfectly.

"After a great test in Kuala Lumpur recently, we can’t wait to jump in the car for first practice at the 2020 12 Hour and see what we can do.”

Porsche Junior Evans enters the race battle-hardened from his first full season in the ultra-competitive Porsche Supercup, following his title-winning year in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia the year prior. He will return to Europe once again this year as a Porsche-backed Junior.

“Very excited to not only re-join David Calvert-Jones but to team up with the experienced Romain Dumas and the Earl Bamber Motorsport crew for this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour," Evans said.

"It’s the perfect way to kick off 2020 in the new 911 GT3 R. A mixture of new and familiar faces with some of the McElrea Racing crew joining the team will hopefully put us near the pointy end come Sunday. A big thank you to David, EBM and Porsche Motorsport for the opportunity!”

Having won the 2019 12-Hour on their debut, Earl Bamber Motorsport will front with a remarkable two-car entry in this year's race in a bid to defend their championship.

“We are really delighted to be adding a second car, with the #12 NED Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R, for our assault at the mountain," said Will Bamber, Co-Team Principal EBM.

"Not only will be pushing for the Pro-AM victory but the line-up of David, Jaxon and Romain, will hold their own in the overall standings too.

“It is a tough race as we all know and we expect another tight year of competition, so to have the support of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and joining forces with McElrea Racing for this entry is fantastic.”