BMW M4 GT3 Takes 4th and 6th Place in Thrilling Bathurst 12-Hour Race

Following a race in the Daytona 24 Hours, BMW Motorsport drivers travelled to Australia to compete in BMW M4 GT3 vehicles. For the annual Bathurst 12 Hour, rookies Rossi, van der Linde, and Weerts joined Farfus, Martin, and Vanthoor. Starting the race in sixth place was the #46 BMW M4 GT3, driven by Valentino Rossi, Augusto Farfus, and Maxime Martin. The #32 vehicle, driven by Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, and Charles Weerts, got off to a slower start in the ninth position on the grid.

BMW M Team WRT started strong in the Bathurst 12 Hour race, briefly securing a top-three position. However, both cars lost ground as the race progressed. The #46 car faced a minor brake light issue and needed repairs with 2.5 hours left. The #32 Shell BMW M4 GT3 claimed fourth place after 12 hours of intense racing in the warm summer sun. Unfortunately, the #46 M3 GT3 finished in sixth place. The #75 Sun Energy 1 Mercedes-AMG GT3, driven by Kenny Habul, Jules Gounon, and Luca Stolz, took the checkered flag.

Get ready for round two of the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge, the Kyalami 9 Hour, from February 23rd to 25th in South Africa. BMW M works driver Philipp Eng (AUT) will replace Valentino Rossi on the track.

Head of BMW M Motorsport, Andreas Roos, praises the Bathurst 12 Hour as a fantastic event. Despite the circuit’s uniqueness and passionate fans, the team faced disappointment in the results. Despite the drivers and team’s flawless performance, they were not competitive enough to fight for a podium finish. Unfortunately, their hard work did not pay off with the desired results.

Although the desired results were not achieved, the team remains optimistic. Both cars successfully finished the race, and the collaboration with BMW M Team WRT during their first official race was seamless. BMW M4 GT3 once again showed its dependability with only one minor technical issue for the #46 car. The team thanks the drivers, BMW M Team WRT, and all involved at BMW M Motorsport for their outstanding performance. With preparations ongoing, the team looks ahead to the upcoming race at Kyalami.