Ben Barker helps drive Grove Motorsport to history-making win in Bathurst 12 Hour success

Ben Barker helped steer Grove Motorsport to a fourth Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour success in Australia.

The 27-year-old Cambridge-based driver was part of a three-man team alongside Stephen Grove and Brenton Grove as they dominated Class B to become one of the most successful teams in the event’s history.

In the all-Porsche division, Barker started from pole position and extended his lead early as drama for other drivers allowed the Melbourne-based team to increase their lead from minutes to laps.

They did not yield the top spot once in the entire 12-hour race, completing all 299 laps in first position in class, finishing 20 laps clear of their nearest rivals.

Barker set the car’s fastest lap of 2min 7.6677sec as they finished 16th overall.

“It was incredible,” said Barker, who has driven in three of Grove Motorsport's wins.

“To come back here and get a third victory with the Groves. It’s just epic. The race was tough, it was really hot, I think it was the hottest race I’ve ever done and for Stephen, certainly for him, it was the hottest he’s ever done.

“It was quite hard to control that heat, but we kept it clean. The guys did an amazing job to keep it clean and the pit stops were spot on.

“The car was balanced throughout, it was a dream to drive. It was really nice to be in a good rhythm around Bathurst. Everyone on the team deserves the win. Hopefully, we can come back next year possibly in the GT3 class. I’m over the moon, just over the moon.”

Barker’s FIA World Endurance Campaign with Gulf Racing campaign will restart in March at the 1000 Mile of Sebring.