Valentino Rossi stars in WRT’s BMW line-up for Bathurst 12 Hour

BMW has revealed an all-star line-up in its two Pro class entries for the Bathurst 12 Hour in what could be the final showdown of the big three German marques at the race.

WRT has named Augusto Farfus and van der Linde brothers Sheldon and Kelvin to drive the #32 M3 GT3 while Valentino Rossi, Raffaele Marciello and Charles Weerts will share the #46 entry.

With the cutback in Audi’s support in the GT3 category, the Bathurst race may be the last time that the three German brands face off in the Australian classic, which has been won by each of the three.

Audi won the first two races run to GT3 regulations, in 2011 and 2012, and again in 2018 when Robin Frijns, Dries Vanthoor and Stuart Leonard won for WRT which was, at the time, a factory-supported Audi team.

Mercedes-Benz won for the first time in 2013 with Erebus Motorsport, before Kenny Habul, Jules Gounon and Luca Stolz won twice for SunEnergy1 Racing, in 2022 and ’23 (Martin Konrad also shared the driving in the 2022 victory).

Porsche has won the event twice, with local driver Matt Campbell winning both times, alongside Dirk Werner and Dennis Olsen for Earl Bamber Motorsport in 2019, then with Ayhancan Güven and Laurens Vanthoor last year.

Feeney makes late Bathurst 12 Hour bid with Audi

Meanwhile, the chances of an Audi win in the Bathurst 12 Hour have taken a major step, with confirmation of a Pro R8 LMS Evo II in the Pro Class.

Jamec Racing and Team MPC will run a car for Supercars star Broc Feeney, 2024 Nurburgring 24 Hours winner Ricardo Feller and GT World Challenge Australia champion Liam Talbot.

The deal came together late in the day after Jamec Racing’s Steven McLaughlin and MPC’s Troy Russell decided to run the car, in spite of Audi’s decision to move away from its support of the GT category.

“Initially we weren’t going to run – in the past, we have had support from Audi, however unfortunately they’ve wound down their factory support globally,” McLaughlin said.

“The Audi was quite strong internationally throughout 2024, and once we knew we could secure Ricardo Feller, we were able to put this program together.

“We know what he’s capable of on the Mountain and we were only interested in running if we were in with a chance to win the race. We’re not there to make up the numbers.”

Feeney, 22, has made four starts in the event, taking 15th outright and a class win in 2020, then third, fifth and sixth outright, all in Mercedes cars, for Triple 8 from 2022-24.

“It’s a great opportunity to get laps before the start of our season at a huge event and one of my favourites,” said Feeney, who finished second in the 2024 Supercars championship behind team-mate Will Brown.

“When I spoke with Troy, we were both on the same page and we didn’t want to waste time doing it unless we could go there and fight for the win. With the drivers, the team and the car, we have every opportunity to get some great results.

“It’s been super last minute, but they’re super confident in their package and I’m excited.”

Ironically, Feeney will be racing against Brown, who will partner Chaz Mostert and Daniel Serra in a Ferrari 296 GT3, as well as fellow Supercars drivers Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and Craig Lowndes in a Mercedes-AMG.

The entry means that MPC will now field two cars, the Pro entry running alongside a Hallmarc Racing Bronze R8 for Marc Cini, Lee Holdsworth and Dean Fiore.