Long joins Ice Break Porsche team for Bathurst 12 Hours

Ice Break Competition Motorsports has confirmed it will return to Mount Panorama for the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in February 2015, this time in a bid for overall honors, with America's Patrick Long joining U.S.-based Australian David Calvert-Jones and V8 Supercars Dunlop Series ace Chris Pither.

After competing in the previous two 12-hour events in Class B, Ice Break Competition Motorsports will next year challenge the world's leading GT teams and drivers armed with a Porsche 997 GT3R in Class A, the outright class for FIA GT3 specification cars. For the third year in succession, leading Australian-based Porsche squad McElrea Racing will provide personnel and infrastructure for the entry, supported by American Bob Faieta of Competition Motorsports.

In the 2014 race (LEFT), Calvert-Jones, Long and Alex Davison finished ninth outright and second in Class B, having led the class until suffering two late-race tire punctures.

"Every year the Bathurst 12 Hour grows in profile to the point that it is now one of the most prestigious races on the international GT calendar," said Long. "It goes without saying that Bathurst is one of the most awesome circuits in the world and I cannot wait to get back to Mount Panorama – not only for the track itself but to experience the very enjoyable vibe which Australians go about their motorsport. Next year's field is shaping to be the biggest and best in the race's history, and I am thrilled we will have an outright FIA GT3 package."

Since last February's 12 Hour, Calvert-Jones has won races in the IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge (Platinum Masters division) and has driven a Porsche 911 in the IMSA TUDOR United Sportscar Championship (GT Daytona class) as well as a Ford Mustang in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

Porsche factory driver Long raced for Porsche North America in this year's TUDOR Championship, where he was crowned one of the Tequila Patron Endurance Cup Champions (GTLM) and won the GTLM class at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Long's extensive season of international sports car commitments included the Californian's 11th start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he partnered Hollywood actor/racer Patrick Dempsey for the second successive year. Long was recently confirmed as one of Dempsey's team-mates for a full assault on next year's FIA World Endurance Championship with the Proton Competition team.

Kiwi Pither is a new addition to the team, but comes with significant Bathurst experience including three starts each in the Bathurst 1000 and 12 Hour, as well as a 12 Hour Class E victory in 2012. Pither is also a former V8 Ute series champion and this year registered his first ever Dunlop Series race and round win in Townsville.

The Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will take place on Feb. 6-8, 2015.