Rossi to race in Australia again
While Aussie fans missed out on Valentino Rossi’s “Farewell Tour” in 2021 due to the Australian MotoGP round being cancelled, there will soon be a chance for locals to see 'The Doctor' on a racetrack again, but it'll be in a very different form to what they’re used to.

In December, it was confirmed that Rossi had entered the 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour sportscar race, which will be held at Mount Panorama on 3 – 5 February.
The 43-year-old Italian will co-drive a BMW for 2018 12 Hour winners Team WRT, alongside Belgium’s Maxime Martin and Brazilian Augusto Farfus.

"Valentino Rossi is one of the biggest names in the world of motorsport and we're proud that the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be his first experience of Mount Panorama,” said Bathurst 12 Hour Event Director, Shane Rudzis.
"Having had so much success here on two wheels, Valentino has an enormous Australian fanbase and we are prepared for a significant increase in attention as a result of his entry.
"It's one of the most significant driver announcements in Bathurst 12 Hour history and we are thankful to BMW, WRT, Valentino and his team for making it happen. We can't wait to welcome him to Mount Panorama.”

Since retiring from MotoGP, Rossi has focussed on sportscar racing, competing for Team WRT in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint and Endurance Championships. As part of that series, the seven-time 500cc/MotoGP World Champion tackled the famous Spa 24 Hour race, so will bring some endurance driving experience to the 12 Hour, even though it will be his Mount Panorama debut.
Martin and Farfus have both driven at Bathurst before - Martin in 2020 and Farfus in ’18, ’19 and ’20, with a best finish of fifth overall for Farfus in the 2019 12 Hour.

Team WRT’s 2018 win came in an Audi, but this year they will run two examples of the brand-new BMW M4 GT3, which will be making its Australian racing debut at the 12 Hour.
The Rossi/Martin/Farfus car will carry the Italian’s iconic #46, while the other car, #32, will feature 2018 winner, Belgium’s Dries Vanthoor as lead driver, alongside 2022 DTM Champion Sheldon van der Linde from South Africa and Belgian rising star, Charles Weerts.

Team WRT will run two of the new BMW M4 GT3 cars, which will be making their Australian debut at the 12 Hour.
The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will be held at Mount Panorama from 3 – 5 February. For more details, go to: bathurst12hour.com.au