BMW M Motorsport has confirmed it will enter two factory-run M4 GT3 cars in the 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour event.
The event will mark the race car’s southern hemisphere debut which will be led by BMW M Team WRT with the driver lineup to be confirmed at a later stage.
It will however have 20 factory drivers to choose from including former Bathurst 12 Hour winner Dries Vanthoor, DTM Champion Sheldon van der Linde, and experienced endurance drivers Marco Wittmann, Augusto Farfus, Jake Dennis and René Rast.
BMW is no stranger to Australia’s International Enduro, including claiming two victories in the Production Car era, in 2007 and 2010.
The brand returned to the Mountain with the BMW M6 GT3 in 2017, Chaz Mostert scoring pole position a year later aboard a privately entered car run by MARC Cars Australia.
Its best finish in the GT3 era came in 2019, when Mostert, Augusto Farfus and Martin Tomczyk finished fifth outright aboard a BMW Team Schnitzer M6 GT3.
“It’s incredibly exciting to have a brand like BMW commit to the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour,” Event Director Shane 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.
“BMWs 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.”
The 2023 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour will run from February 3 to 5, 2023.
Main image: Supplied
