DUBBO'S Jake Williams will have his second crack at the Bathurst 12 Hour next weekend, following a successful debut at last year's once-around-the-clock endurance car race.
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In 2015 Williams finished on the podium, co-driving the GWS Personnel BMW 335i through the gruelling marathon to a second in class.
The race track is a far different place to the workplace 24-year-old Williams finds himself in during the week as he works at Western Plains Zoo, caring for rhinos, cheetahs, African wild dogs and Galapagos tortoises.
"To be part of the 12 Hour at Mount Panorama last year was a huge privilege and an unforgettable experience, and to do it again is simply awesome," he said.
Williams' valuable contribution to the overall team effort last year continued to enhance the car's unprecedented record in this event on the famous Mt Panorama circuit.
The GWS Personnel BMW 335i made it nine podiums from nine starts with the talented driving squad that also included Ric Shaw, Matt Chahda and Steve Devjak.
Besides finishing in Class D, they were placed 28th overall of the 50 cars that started.
After racing in Class D in 2015, Williams and his car will be in Class I (Invitational) this time out and will be the only Production Car in that group.
"We will be faced with the same situation as last year - staying out of the way of the outright cars and using our reliability to come through by the end of the day," Williams admitted.
"Out on the track, it was hard to comprehend the sheer speed and performance levels of the faster Class A GT cars and really, most of the other class cars flew past us on the straights.
"Therefore much of the time behind the wheel was spent with my eyes in the mirrors, seeing where they were about to lap me.
"In the main though, they were respectable enough to overtake when appropriate."
Williams will spearhead the driver line-up at the race and it will be another proud moment as he continues to follow in his father Steve's footsteps by competing in Bathurst endurance race events.
Steve Williams raced in the other celebrated Mt Panorama event, the Bathurst 1000 and also competed in the Bathurst 24 Hour.
Since last year's 12 Hour effort, Williams has recorded numerous successes in a Group C Ford Escort with a perfect class winning record at the Bathurst Motor Festival and the Muscle Car Masters at Sydney Motorsport Park before reacquainting himself with the BMW at the Australian 4 Hour late last year. The Bathurst 12 Hour is held on February 7.