OzRacingWrap

After months of speculation and rumour, Erebus Racing, the highly professional Australian GT team will partner with German team Black Falcon Racing and will run one of the two Mercedes Benz SLS AMG entries nominated for the February 24-26 Event.

That international cooperation is also reflected in an all-star driver line up announced today.

Regular Erebus driver Peter Hackett, a former open-wheel champion, will lead the squad that will also include Stone Brothers Racing V8 Supercar star Tim Slade, two-time Porsche Supercup champion and A1GP race winner Jeroen Bleekemolen (who also won the Dubai 24 Hour in a Black Falcon Mercedes, at the weekend) and American sportscar racer, Bret Curtis.

The partnership between Erebus and Black Falcon looks to mix local knowledge – Erebus performed strongly at the Australian GT round held on the Mountain last October - with the German teams endurance experience in an outfit that will enter the race amongst the outright favourites against strong outright / Class A teams already confirmed from Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mosler.

“For Erebus Racing it is just about the ideal way to tackle the race,” Peter Hackett said.

“It will be a good thing to blend Black Falcon’s international GT racing experience and the local experience that Erebus Racing has to form the strongest team we can. We are really excited to be part of the Event, even if it took a bit longer than expected to put the deal together, and want to go out there and represent for our sponsors and supporters as best we can.

“Black Falcon have shown what they are capable of in long distance racing And I think Erebus has shown they we are to be taken seriously in Australia. The partnership makes a lot of sense and I believe it can bring a lot of success for both parties.”

Hackett explained securing a driving squad with a wide breadth of pace, experience and ability was critical to a successful campaign.

“We have a fantastic group of drivers locked in,” Hackett said.

“Jeroen and Bret obviously have plenty of experience at endurance racing and in working with the Black Falcon guys. Tim is one of the great young stars of V8 racing and we’re really pleased to have him on board. He’ll bring a lot of speed and experience to the crew and we already have a good working relationship from working together on drive days I run.

“Personally I’m really excited to get back to Bathurst in the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG and put on a great show.”

26-year-old Tim Slade finished 9th in the 2011 V8 Supercar Championship for Lucky 7 Racing in a season that included his first career podium finish, at Queensland Raceway.

Slade has one 12 Hour start to his credit – teaming up with Trevor Keene in a Mini in 2007 – but said there was no reason why the Erebus combination couldn’t challenge for victory in 2012.

“I can’t see why we won’t be going for a win,” Slade said.

“I’ve watched Bleekemolen for years in (Porsche) Supercup and A1GP, and Pete has been going really well in the GT Championship so it is a strong combination. It is great to be able to work with one of the most professional GT teams in Australia, Erebus Racing, and take it up to the Internationals that are coming down.

“It’s also a bit of an advantage for me to help my main job – any laps at Bathurst are great, especially in a car that runs at a similar pace to the V8. But I’m excited to be running and working with the Erebus guys and from AMG.”

Slade explained that he has started speaking to Hackett about the drive several months ago, whilst working together on a drive experience day Hackett’s company organises.

“I asked Pete what he was planning for the 12 Hour around the middle to latter half of last year when we were doing some driver training and since then I’ve been quite excited about getting in the car. He’s done a great job of pulling it all together and combining Erebus’ local knowledge with the experience at longer races and pit stops that Black Falcon has.

“Big thanks to Pete for making it all happen!”

Since its debut in 2010, the SLS has become one of the most successful GT3-specification cars around, having tasted success in major of the world’s major endurance races.

Much like Mark Eddy and his Audi R8, Peter Hackett became the first driver to race one of the 6.3-litre, gull-winged Supercars outside of Europe when Erebus Racing made its Australian debut in early 2011.

For more information head to the all new website – http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au, or follow the race on Facebook (facebook.com/Bathurst12hour) or twitter (@bathurst12hour).

The closing stages of the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour will be broadcast live on SPEED Australia.