Strakka Racing locks in 12-Hour campaign

STRAKKA Racing will contest the 2018 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour as part of a switch to a full Intercontinental GT Challenge campaign next year. 

The British team has also confirmed it will switch from McLaren to Mercedes in advance of the new season, running the Mercedes AMG GT3.

Their AMG debut will come at Bathurst ahead of the remaining ICGT Challenge rounds at the Spa 24 Hours, Suzuka 10 Hours and the Califorina 8 Hour at Laguna Seca.

The team had previously competed in the Blancpain GT Sprint and Endurance Cups.

Drivers have yet to be announced with racing director Jay Davenport confirming that the team is talking to both existing and new drivers for the programme, which will also include drivers from the factory Mercedes-AMG roster.

“It’s great for Strakka to be back on the world stage and competing at venues such as Bathurst and Laguna Seca," said Team Owner Nick Leventis.

"Together with a return to the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, we’ve a got an exciting calendar next season and a partner in Mercedes-AMG that will enable us to fight for podiums and wins.”

The team's racing director, Jay Davenport, said the program had already generated a positive response.

“From initial discussions, there is real interest in the programme, especially with the Intercontinental GT Challenge," he said.

"Our tie up with Mercedes-AMG is something which we have kept extremely close to our chest. To be able to announce this today means we now have the full package in place.”

Mercedes-AMG, winners of the 2013 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour with Erebus Motorsport, welcomed the addition of another quality outfit to the stable.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Strakka Racing in our Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing family," said Stefan Wendl, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Customer Racing**.**

"I am fully convinced this team has everything in place to build up a successful future with the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Strakka Racing will be a great ambassador for our brand at race events worldwide, especially competing in the increasingly significant Intercontinental GT Challenge.”

Based at Silverstone, Strakka Racing was founded in 2007 to compete in GT Racing, however expanded into LeMans Series competition the following year.

The team has had success at LeMans and in the World Endurance Championship before this year returning to GT Racing in the Blancpain Series.

2018 will mark their first trip to race in Australia.