Mark Webber could be set for a return to Bathurst alongside an Olympic champion, James Tomkins, and Hollywood star Eric Bana.
Webber revealed his intention to compete in Australia’s longest motor race in 2015. Webber has moved from the Grand Prix circuit to a seat with Porsche in the World Endurance Championship, which will include the renowned 24 hours of Le Mans in France.
The nine-time Grand Prix winner is still considering a return to Australia for the Bathurst 12-hour event for production-based sportscars such as the Porsche 911 GT3. Webber has never competed in the Bathurst 1000 and has little experience with the Mount Panorama circuit compared with many of the homegrown professional racers.
As for Webber’s potential co-drivers, Eric Bana is a well-known Aussie actor and race fan who starred in Love the Beast, a documentary that focused on his racing exploits at Targa Tasmania, and is best known for his roles in Chopper, Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Munich and Troy.
Bana has previously raced the Bathurst 12 Hour twice, and finished 10th in 2009, as well as the Targa Tasmania rallies and the Porsche GT3 challenge.
The potential final member of the team, Olympic gold medallist and former ‘Oarsome Foursome’ member James Tomkins has not raced professionally, but has finished first in celebrity support races at the Australian Grand Prix.