Lanotec Ambassador Jay Robotham will be looking to win back the Class D title in the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, when he lines up alongside Alice Buckley and Jack Wood aboard the BPRO-entered Toyota 86 in the Easter classic.
Robotham, who now has two Repco Bathurst 1000 starts to his credit, won the small car class in the 2022 running of the Production Car showdown, when he lined up alongside BPRO team principal Brett Parrish and Mitch Wooller, with the team utilising the same machine for their 2024 challenge.
Both Buckley and Wood bring extensive Hyundai Excel experience to the effort, with 16-year-old Buckley also having raced Toyota 86s on both sides of the Tasman.
For Robotham, who recently announced a move to racing full-time in Asia this year aboard Lanotec-backed Fords, in addition to a co-drive with Brad Jones Racing in the Supercars endurance events, any opportunity to get laps around Mount Panorama is invaluable.
“It’s always awesome when you get to Bathurst and take your first laps across the top of The Mountain,” said Robotham.
“It will be great to catch back up with the BPRO crew, I’ve known Brett and the team for a long time now, and we’ve had a lot of success in various events.
“The 86 is a really well-sorted package, and it is a lot of fun amongst all of the traffic you can expect in the 6 Hour.
“Both Alice and Jack will be on the money, so it should be a fun event.”
Parrish, meanwhile, is excited about the prospect of the squad’s second appearance in the event, however, he is under no illusion of the challenge presented by the increased competition expected in 2024.
“We’re pumped to be heading back to The Mountain with Jay, Alice and Jack,” said Parrish.
“With his Bathurst 1000 experience, Jay will be a great sounding board for Alice and Jack, so come race day, hopefully, we will be on the money.
“Outside of some other strong Toyota 86s, Class D will also feature Mazda RX8s, a Honda Integra, a Toyota Camry, a BMW and a VW Golf, so we’re expecting a big fight.
“To date, testing has gone well, while back in the pits, we’ve assembled a great crew, which Scott Green will lead as team manager.
“Scott has a long list of credentials in motorsport, including as a competitor in the Six Hour, and it will be great to lean on his experience.”
The Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour kicks off on Friday, the 29th of March, with Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race broadcast live on SBS, Fox Sports and Kayo.
