Paul Tracy to make racing return (Update)

Paul Tracy plans to do more racing after Bathurst

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. Former Champ Car champion and Gold Coast Indy 300 winner Paul Tracy will return to Australia to compete in this year’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

Tracy will replace fellow North American Boris Said in a MARC Car which he will share with 2014 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris and car owner Keith Kassulke.

Said, who drove for Paul Morris Motorsport in the 2008 Supercars enduros and as an international co-driver on the Gold Coast in 2011 and 2012, was injured while training on his dirt bike with his son last week.

“It was a pleasant surprise to be asked to come back to AU and compete in a class-winning car with a guy like Paul Morris.," Tracy told Speedcafe.com.

“He is a legend down under and making a name for himself in the States driving in Robby’s (Gordon’s) SST trucks.

“I must thank Leigh Diffey for teeing this up for me. We have become great mates working together."

“I always come to win," stressed Tracy, who turned 50 in December.

“I am training like a mad man to be ready for the challenge of arguably the toughest track in the world.

“It will be a great start to a year where I plan to do a lot more racing."

Morris said he was delighted to have a driver of Tracy’s experience and profile in the car.

“I think it is a fantastic thing for everyone involved," ‘The Dude’ told Speedcafe.com.

“Obviously it would have been great to have Boris back here and we wish him a speedy recovery, but there are not too many bigger names in world motorsport than Paul Tracy.

“He was excited to get my call and has been working flat-out on his fitness ever since.

“I think shots of him training so hard on his Twitter account sparked up a few comeback rumours and I guess this confirms it.

“PT is a tough, hardarse racer and I think he will fit in perfectly at our team where he does not have the pressure of racing for an outright win.

“He can come here and have a good time, tick the box of racing at Bathurst and hopefully go home with a class trophy.

“The commitment of Paul will obviously not do the profile of MARC Car any harm in the US, which we see as a major market for it."

01/06/19 Paul Tracy posted on Instagram to stay tuned for some interesting news this week.

Could he be lining up a drive in the Rolex 24?