US racing legend George Follmer heads to Bathurst with Touring Car Masters

The Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn will proudly host American motorsport legend, George Follmer at this year’s Bathurst 1000 event.

A racing luminary, Follmer is the only American driver to have competed in Formula One, Indy Cars, NASCAR, the World Endurance Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am and IMSA. A racer of incredible versatility, Follmer is considered one of the greatest drivers the United States has ever produced.

Best known for his greatest achievements – the 1965 SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Road Racing Champion, the 1972 & ’76 Trans-Am Champion and the 1972 Can-Am Champion, plus a stint in Formula 1 – these barely touch the surface of his phenomenal career.

Of all his on-track endeavours Follmer is most remembered for his Trans Am conquests in which, among other things, he raced Boss Mustangs very similar to the one that reigning Touring Car Masters Champion, Gavin Bullas currently races.

It is his Mustang connection that brings Follmer to Australia for the Boss Nationals at Port Macquarie on the weekend following the Bathurst, of which Bullas will also be a special guest.

With the two events so close together, the Touring Car Masters champ took the once in a lifetime opportunity to invite Follmer to join the category as a special guest at Bathurst.

A hero to many, including the likes of seven-time Bathurst winner Jim Richards, Follmer is set to cause a great deal of excitement around the Mt Panorama paddock.

With the Touring Car Masters featuring iconic muscle cars of his heyday, Follmer is said to be excited to see them in action around one of world’s most famous and most demanding racetracks.

The spry 76-year-old from Arizona will take in all the on-track action and be guest speaker at an exclusive Touring Car Masters dinner in his honour.

Follmer has indicated that this will be his last trip to Australia.

Round five of Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn will support the V8 Supercars around Mount Panorama at the 2010 Bathurst 1000 on 7-10 October.

GAVIN BULLAS:

“This is a bit of a coup for the Touring Car Masters. We’re obviously very excited to have someone of George’s calibre and experience join us at Bathurst; he is one of the true heroes of the sport and a fascinating character. I believe he is still racing some Historic events in the US.

“We have Sean McDonagh from the Boss Nationals to thank for arranging George’s visit to Australia. Pesonally, I think it will be interesting to see George’s reaction to our racing and to hear his thoughts on the safety and performance modifications we make to our cars.

“I know a lot of people around our paddock are very excited to meet him.”