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March 10, 2016 | General

CXC ATTACK READY FOR BATHURST 6 HOUR

ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S top Production Car teams is ready for a three-car attack on the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour later this month – and they’re bringing some local knowledge to the party. Sydney-based CXC Global Racing has been a force in both national and state-level Production Car racing throughout the last five years, with the team winning plenty of races in the Australian Manufacturers Championship and NSW Production Touring Car Series.The team has confirmed they’ll run three cars at the 6-hour, including the leading Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X for Dylan Thomas and Bathurst boy, Terry Nightingale. Wade Scott and Duncan Handley will steer a second car, while the team will also prepare a third car for young brothers Daniel and Jacques Oosthuizen.Bathurstian Nightingale, the son of local identity and former Touring Car racer Brian, said he was jumping at the chance to join such a professional outfit.”To be able to turn up here with Dylan and actually have a chance to win the race… It gives me the ‘heebie-jeebies’ just thinking about it,” Nightingale said.”It’s a really great opportunity and I just want to make sure I’m ready. The team will be ready and the car will be ready and Dylan, of course, has a lot of experience so it’s going to be great learning off him during the test sessions and the weekend at Bathurst.”The opportunity to contend for outright victory in a major endurance race at Mount Panorama represents ‘bucket list’ stuff for the affable second-generation Nightingale racer. “This event for me personally is something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. To be able to race at Bathurst has always been a dream of mine and I’ve been able to do that now in a couple of different categories.”A host of local businesses have flocked to support Nightingale’s participation in the event, giving the team a ‘local favourite’ status.Team owner / driver Thomas believes the Bathurst 6 Hour represents the start of a successful new era for Production Car racing in Australia. “There’s been a huge amount of interest around the 6hr,” he explained.”The rate of growth in the Bathurst 12 Hour is good for motorsport in Australia – but you’re going to have a lot that falls out of the budget zone of that and they’ll come back to Production Cars.”With the 6-hour at Bathurst I think that will be the marquee event that Production needs and will enhance the category.”Scott and Handley will compete in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX at Bathurst, running the same livery as Thomas andNightingale’s slightly later-specification entry. Meanwhile, Sydney brothers Jacques and Daniel Oosthuizen will both make their respective Bathurst debuts when they take to the Mountain in their Lancer Evo VIII.The pair both started karting aged just 7 years old and after tasting success in the Production Touring Car series last year, suggest they’re ready for a taste of the Mountain.”I’m very, very excited,” Jacques Oosthuizen said. “Bathurst is my favourite race track of all time and it’s a real privilege to be able to drive on it, especially to share the drive with my brother. I think it will be a good outcome.””I’ve been to Bathurst a few ties sitting around the Mountain in different spots, so being able to go there and drive it myself will be a lot of fun,” agreed brother, Daniel.The three Mitsubishi’s that form part of the CXC Global Racing program are amongst 7 of the popular Japanese racer entered in Class A1 – for high-performance cars with forced induction.Alongside the CXC entries, Melbourne Performance Centre has entered two cars as has Jim Pollicina.The outright class also includes several BMWs, a Subaru Impreza WRX STi and the Australian racing debut of the Mercedes-Benz AMG A45.The Bathurst Motor Festival will be held across the March 25-27 Easter long weekend. Sunday’s action, including the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour enduro, will be streamed live via www.bathurstmotorfestival.com.au on Easter Sunday, with highlights to air on SBS Speedweek following the race on Sunday, April 10.Tickets and camping are on sale via the Bathurst Motor Festival website with savings available for those booking in advance.The Bathurst Motor Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government as part of its Regional Flagship Events Program.VIDEO: