Audi confirms return to Bathurst

Audi's rampaging R8s will be back at Bathurst near the end of February next year to attempt back-to-back wins.

The importer's MD, Uwe Hagen, made it official near the end of a presentation to the media for the new four-cylinder A6 models two nights ago.

"We will do Bathurst again — the 12-hour [event]," Hagen said. "It was a brilliant experience last year and we're looking forward to February next year, because now we know about it a little bit earlier and we can integrate our customers a little bit stronger than we were able to do in 2011."

The company's successful campaign this year was prompted by interest in taking part from the factory itself. In Australia the local arm got right behind the event once it was presented on a platter, but hadn't driven the initiative. What Hagen and his management team found was that the company's entry in the event (two cars, one with an international crew and the second-placed car with a local crew), provided an excellent brand-boosting platform at a local level and the importer encouraged Audi customers to visit the track for the event. For 2012 Hagen is also considering a competition among his workshop technicians at the dealerships, with the first prize participation in the pits working on the competing cars.

If there's one fly in the ointment for Hagen and his promotions and marketing team at Audi Australia, it's the rumour that Mercedes-Benz will field a factory team of SLS GT3s at the same event. Clearly aware of the rumours, Hagen showed no timidity about Audi's chances of repeating this year's win, and intimated that competition at Bathurst could be a good thing.

"I note from some others that they are now also thinking to put more focus on Bathurst, because it's getting more competitive and therefore it's also more interesting for a brand to show what you aim to do in this area."

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