Bathurst 12: Conroy Motorsport preview

CONROY MOTORSPORT STEPS UP FOR BIG BATHURST 12 HOUR CAMPAIGN

Australian Drivers Championship star Leanne Tander joins team in car #21.

FATHER AND SON TEAM CONROY MOTORSPORT has today announced an ambitious two-car team to tackle Mount Panorama and the WPS Bathurst 12 hour Enduro with the aim of beating the class E benchmark Osborne Motorsport Celicas.

Conroy Motorsport will campaign a pair of Honda Integra Type S entries in the race this February and have confirmed a strong driving squad that - when coupled with strong preparation - should give the team the pace and endurance needed to win their class in the production car classic.

Leanne Tander - one of the most successful drivers in the Australian Drivers Championship throughout the past three seasons - will join the team and race with Formula Ford youngster Leigh Burgess and team owner Terry Conroy in car No. 21.

Set to be one of the oldest competitors in this year's race - at 66 years' young - Terry Conroy said age was no barrier to racing in one of the toughest endurance events around.

"I am still competitive, even after having open heart surgery ten years ago," he enthused. "I am more determined than ever to continue motor racing, proving that age is no barrier with retirement out of the question.

"The team is stepping up a gear this year with the addition of a second Honda Integra Type S and the return of our great sponsors.

"We have raced in the past two 12 hour events and left an impression with our preparation and attention to detail in the presentation of our vehicles," Conroy added. "Plenty of people have stood up and taken notice of what we have been doing and I think that with two cars and our driver line-up for this years Bathurst 12 hour, they will continue to do so.

"The combination of Peter Conroy, Carl Schembri and Richard Gartner in car 14 and Leanne, Leigh Burgess and I in no. 21 is a combination of experience and pace that is vital to have in a race like this to ensure that the car gets home."

In 50 championship F3 starts Leanne won seven races and stood on the podium 22 times, twice finishing a narrow second in the prestigious Australian Drivers Championship. Tander also competed in the 2007 Bathurst 12 hour driving a diesel powered Holden Astra and has raced at the mountain in a V8 Supercar, for Garry Rogers Motorsport, in 2001.

"This is a great opportunity to have another shot at the Bathurst 12 hour, which is very quickly growing in strength," Leanne said.

"Terry and Peter have assembled a very strong team for the race this year and I'm looking forward to jumping into the Honda and working with the team to try and get a class win. Any chance to do laps at Bathurst is a good chance - especially when you're in a competitive car and with a professional team like Conroy Motorsport. I can't wait to get to the track and get into it."

Burgess is a New South Wales-based Formula Ford driver and will be making his Bathurst debut this February.

Car No. 14 will be driven by Peter Conroy (Terry's son), Carl Schembri and Richard Gartner, giving the team a line-up of vast experience and performance potential, with both Peter Conroy and Schembri having contested the race last year.

The team is also pleased to confirm that Hankook tyres will return as a major sponsor, along with ongoing support from Disc Brakes Australia, Speedy Wheels, Bond Rollbars, Penrite Oils, SOS Suspension and Repco Auto Repairs in Penrith.

Conroy Motorsport has run a single car in the past two Bathurst 12 hour endures, finishing 4th in class in 2007 and a strong third in class E and 13th outright last year.

Both Conroy Motorsport Honda Integra Type S entries will carry in-car cameras for the Seven Network TV package to air following the event.

The WPS Bathurst 12 hour will be held between February 20 - 22, at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

-credit: cm