AGO LAMBO READY FOR LIQUI-MOLY BATHURST 12 HOUR REBOUND
LAMBORGHINI pilot Roger Lago is determined to rebound from a disappointing 2012 campaign and challenge for an outright place in the 2013 edition of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.
The Queensland-based driver of the JBS Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 GT3 racer has signed a suitably strong driving squad to pair with him throughout the February 8-10 Event – and it’s a combination that could be one of the strongest in the field.
Lago’s regular Australian GT co-driver, V8 Supercars ace David Russell, will jump on board the black Lamborghini again whilst internationally renowned GT ace Peter Kox will join the team for the first time.
Dutch driver Kox is a factory Reiter Lamborghini pilot and would have raced in this year’s race had his car – the Ted Huglin-owned Lamborghini Gallardo – not been destroyed in a heavy crash early in the weekend. Kox raced at the recent Gold Coast V8 Supercars event and is no stranger to Australian racing.
Russell and Lago combined to win an Australian GT championship one-hour race at Sydney Motorsport Park this year and have a longstanding working relationship, and both now have plenty of Bathurst experience. The pair drove together this year, with Wayne Park; however the car was eliminated from a strong position in the race before half-distance, in a somewhat uneventful crash at turn one during a torrential downpour.
It’s something that still remains fresh in Lago’s mind – and something he is keen to turn around in 2013.
“This year was hugely disappointing and it’s stung for a long time,” The quietly-spoken Brisbane driver said. “We had a great car and were in a really strong position after Dave's first double stint, but it’s just one of those things that happens in the sport. The plan is to bounce back next year and I think we are capable of that with the drivers
I’m going to have alongside me. Dave sets the car up perfectly, he's fast, easy on the car and tyres and obviously we’ve driven together plenty of times – and Peter’s reputation and ability speaks for itself."
“Peter is a massive asset to the team and will assist Dave in getting the car set up right, as we will be running the 2012 spec package for the first time which, amongst other things, includes a big front splitter and double dive plates so the Lambo will be even more potent across the top of the mountain.”
A season’s worth of development on the stunning black and silver Italian Supercar should also see a better package come the start of the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour next February.
“We have raced in some Australian GT races this year and proved that the car is more than capable of taking it up to the best GT3 cars around so there is no reason to expect that Bathurst will be any different. Deciding not to compete at Homebush during the last round of Australian GT this year will allow us to focus on the 12 Hour campaign next year and when we arrive at the track in February we will be more prepared than ever."
"Our expectation is to have a strong result, but the main goal is to put the disappointment of this year’s race behind us and have a strong run that shows what we are all capable of.”
Lago, Russell and Kox will join a host of international and national GT and production cars for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour next February, 8-10.