Winning WRT return to The Mountain

By Timothy Neal

Date posted: 9 December 2022

The winners of the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour, Team WRT, will return to the iconic event armed with a pair of BMW M4 GT3’s.

In its first year as a BMW squad, the February 3-5 event will be the Southern hemisphere debut of the brand new BMW M4 GT3, with WRT having committed to the full season of the Intercontinental GTChallenge which opens with the Bathurst 12 Hour.

WRT’s 2023 team includes its previous Bathurst 12 Hour winner Dries Vanthoor, DTM champion Sheldon van der Linde, and experience enduro racers Marco Wittmann, Augusto Farfus, Jake Dennis and Rene’ Rast, with its Bathurst squad to be announced shortly.

The last time that Team WRT hit up the mountain for their 2018 triumph over a very strong Solar Energy 1 team that included Jamie Whincup and Kenny Habul , was in an Audi R8 LMS under the Audi Sport banner.

The BMW M4 GT3 will make its southern hemisphere debut at the Bathurst 12 Hour in Febuary next year

Event director Shane Rudzis was understandably excited to have the BMW M4 GT3 come to the summer event.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have a brand like BMW commit to the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour,” Rudzis said.

“As the world returns to Mount Panorama in 2023, a two-car, factory BMW team is an awesome addition to what is shaping as a world-class field. BMW’s driver roster is remarkably strong and they have something special planned for their 12-Hour squad.

“The BMW M4 GT3 making its Australian racing debut at Mount Panorama will draw a lot of attention and knowing BMW, we know they will give it everything to try and win.”

Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, said the brand was building towards a significant 2023 racing program.

“After a successful 2022, including the title win in the DTM, we are shifting up another gear next year,” he said.

“We have improved what was already a very strong squad of works drivers with René Rast, Maxime Martin, Dries Vanthoor and Charles Weerts.

“We also welcome BMW M Team WRT as a new BMW M Motorsport team. We are facing some exciting sporting challenges in 2023 and the years to come, for which we need the best teams and drivers. After all, the goal is to add to the success story of the BMW brand in motor racing.”

Tickets, camping and corporate hospitality are on sale for the 2023 LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour, with further information at www.bathurst12hour.com.au

The intercontinental GT Challenge for 2022 wraps up this weekend at the Gulf 12 Hour at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, with Stephen and Brenton Grove, as well as previous Bathurst 12 Hour winner Kenny Habul (Soler Energy 1 Team) making up the Australian Contingent,

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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Winning WRT return to The Mountain

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