A Ferrari 458 GT3 piloted by Allan Simonsen has broken the lap record at Mount Panorama with a 2:04.956 time.
Covering the 6.2 kilometre track more than four seconds quicker than any GT3 car before it, the racing version of the 458 will be campaigned in Australia by Maranello Motorsport. It is the current front runner for the Armor-All Bathurst 12 Hour event in February.
The lap record is the fastest set by any non-open wheel car.
“This car is damn fast! Given this is our first test, it’s certainly nice to break the lap record finally and we did it in style,” exclaimed driver Allan Simonsen.
“From the first laps at Bathurst the car was very quick, given it has a great setup baseline from running in Europe this year so we knew we’d be able to work from where they’d left off.
“The power and the chassis are so complementary and I’m feeling really comfortable in the car and with the team.
“These new generation cars are all going to have a fast pace, and there’s no doubt the (Bathurst) 12 Hour is going to be very fast and incredibly competitive – it’s an event I’m definitely looking forward to on the calendar.”
The Ferrari will be joined on the start grid by an Audi works team and, reportedly, a Mercedes-Benz entry running the SLS AMG GT3.
The Armor-All Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at the Mt Panorama circuit in Bathurst on February 24 – 26. More information can be found at www.bathurst12hour.com.au
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