Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia’s Harry Bates will have a busy start to April, with the RSEA Safety Motorsport Australia Rally Championship (ARC) star to be in action at the Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix.
With the ARC season opener to take place in the first weekend in April, at the Netier National Capital Rally, Bates will then make his way down to Albert Park in Melbourne to feature in the MSS Ultimate Security Speed Comparison the following weekend.
Behind the wheel of his Toyota GR Yaris AP4, the 2019 Champion will be up against seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup and Bathurst 1000 winner Luke Youlden.
“It’s really cool to be part of the Grand Prix weekend and to be able to race the GR Yaris on the Albert Park circuit,” Bates said.
“I’m sure the car will spend most of the circuit on the limiter with our rather low top speed, but nonetheless it will be a really fun day.
“With Canberra the weekend before, it’s going to be a busy two weeks but I am really looking forward to it.”
For the single-lap speed comparison at the event, Whincup will be running a Holden Commodore ZB with a top speed of 300km/h, while Youlden will steer a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Car – which can reach up to 260km/h.
Bates’ GR Yaris on the other hand, has a top speed of 185km/h at 212kw.
Because of the difference in speeds, the cars will all have a staggered start in an attempt to reach the finish line at the same time for a photo finish.
The comparison will take place on each day with practice and one demonstration to occur on Thursday, before one demonstration runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Formula 1 Heineken Australian Grand Prix 2022 takes place at Albert Park in Melbourne, Victoria on 7-10 April.
