Two of Australia’s brightest young talents have confirmed an assault on the 2017 Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour, in a new 2016 Subaru WRX STI which will run in the outright A1 class.
Dimitri Agathos and Lachlan Gibbons will team up in the FullGas Racing machine for the prestigious production car endurance race around the nation’s most famous racetrack, with their campaign supported by Nova Employment, Castrol and Whiteline.
In the last two seasons, Agathos has become best known as one of the front-runners in the highly-competitive one-make Australian Pulsar Racing Series, winning the title in 2015 and ’16.
Prior to the Pulsar Series, Agathos competed at the highest level of international go-kart racing, Spain’s CIK-FIA European Championships, where he raced against the likes of current Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen.
Gibbons also raced karts and has recently been involved in state and national Formula Ford competition – last year he finished runner-up in the NSW Formula Ford Championship and sixth overall in the national series.
Both drivers are excited about the chance to drive a front-running car in a major endurance race at Bathurst – it will be Agathos’ second start in the 6 Hour, as he drove his Pulsar to a class victory alongside James Duckworth in the 2016 event.
“I think my experience last year will benefit me in this year’s race, as I now have knowledge of how to drive in an endurance race,” Agathos said.
“I also know what it feels like as a slower car so it should be easier for me to find my way through the lapped traffic.
“We’ve done some testing at Wakefield Park and the WRX is definitely easier to drive than the Pulsar, mainly because of the ABS and adjustable differential. It will be a great endurance package.”
“Mount Panorama is the most prestigious and difficult track in Australia, so having the opportunity to race there is something I’ve dreamed of for many years.,” Gibbons added.
“I didn’t expect to have this chance so soon in my career, but when Fullgas Racing offered me the deal I grabbed it with both hands!
“Having driven only a Formula Ford in the past with no power steering or assisted braking, the biggest difference for me has been learning to drive without having to be super physical with driving inputs in the Subaru.”
Following the Bathurst 6 Hour, Agathos and Gibbons will also contest the remainder of the 2017 Australian Production Car Series.
“I watched the Australian Production Car Series throughout 2016 and I was impressed by the quality of racing and by the professionalism shown in the management of the series,” Gibbons said.
“It seems that the category is very popular at the moment, which is a positive sign for the year to come.”
Gibbons and Agathos will conduct some more testing in the FullGas Racing Subaru WRX STI ahead of the Bathurst 6 Hour on 14-16 April.