SHEARGOLD AND SHANNON RETURN TO DEFEND B6HR CLASS TITLE

Michael Sheargold and Ollie Shannon will return to defend their Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour Course A1 earn aboard the RAM Motorsport/GWR Australia Mercedes A45 AMG.

In buy to guarantee their accomplishment, the pair have enlisted the help of Porsche and TCR star Dylan O’Keeffe, who replaces Brett Hobson in the line-up this 12 months, who gained their class and finished seventh total.

O’Keeffe was just lately-announced as signing up for the RAM/GWR squad for Porsche Carrera Cup, which commences at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

Even with the bolstered driver line-up, Sheargold is anticipating the relaxation of the opposition to move up also in 2022.

“In previous year’s race, we had a tyre failure early on that noticed us dropping two laps, but thanks to some fantastic strategic selections from the GWR workforce, we ended up ready to not only get back again onto the guide lap but struggle our way ideal to the entrance of our class,” Sheargold reported.

“However, the opposition is heading to be tougher this calendar year – the area is greater, there are more automobiles in the quickest (X) course and there has also been an raise in the range of top rated-flight, professional drivers, so we won’t be ready to find the money for any extra mishaps.

“Its a serious disgrace Brett was unavailable for the title defence but we are doing the job on some other prospects to push together in the in the vicinity of long run.

“Fortunately, we have Dylan O’Keeffe on board and he’s confirmed himself to be an extremely talented driver in all kinds of cars. He’s hardly ever essentially raced a generation car or truck prior to but with his practical experience, it won’t take extended for him to appear up to pace.

“It’s wonderful to welcome Ollie back to the group as perfectly. Ollie is a quite below-rated driver and his endeavours very last year had been an integral component of our recovery exertion at a person stage all through his stint, he was proper in entrance of the outright leaders but his times were being quickly sufficient to maintain us on the lead lap.

“For myself, I’ll be on the lookout to move up my involvement this year by driving several stints, which I experience perfectly geared up for just after my current working experience at Bathurst in the greater AMG GT3 from our steady.”

O’Keeffe, who will be on double-obligation in excess of the 6 Hour weekend also competing in the TCR Australia Series, explained he’s looking ahead to racing a production car for the initially time.

“The Mercedes will be distinctive to everything I’ve raced prior to – it’s all-wheel-generate, and managing treaded tyres, but it should not get me far too prolonged to adapt,” O’Keeffe reported.

“I know Ollie is a good driver but I’m also enthusiastic to be doing the job with Mike and helping him get the most out of the auto – we haven’t known every other lengthy, but we’re already acquiring on really properly.”

Shannon is enthusiastic about his return to the RAM/GWR fold.

“Last calendar year there had been a lot of unknowns, but we continue to managed to reach a great outcome,” Shannon stated.

“I’m substantially more common with the motor vehicle now, and I’ve also been shelling out a lot of time on the simulator to guarantee I’m personally as well well prepared as I can be.”

The Bathurst 6 Hour will be held on the Easter long weekend, 15-17 April.

The event will be broadcast dwell, advertisement-split no cost and on desire on Stan Sports activities on April 16-17.

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