Heinrich Hoping to ‘Fight for Outright Victory’ in EBM Porsche

Photo: Gruppe C Photography/SRO

Laurin Heinrich feels the experience he learned in his Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour debut last year will help him challenge for overall honors in Sunday’s enduro, as part of Earl Bamber Motorsport’s Pro class lineup.

The recently crowned Rolex 24 at Daytona overall winner will team up with Porsche-contracted drivers Klaus Bachler and Ricardo Feller in EBM’s Porsche 911 GT3 R for the opening round of Intercontinental GT Challenge.

While carrying momentum from a historic victory at Daytona with Porsche Penske Motorsport, Heinrich told Sportscar365 that he’s entering this weekend with confidence after being part of Manthey EMA’s squad last year, which finished second in class.

“I had a great first taste of the mountain last year in a Pro-Am lineup, which was always the goal for me t get my first experience there without a lot of pressure,” he said.

“It was a very nice weekend for me. I learned the track pretty quickly and it became one of my favorites, actually.

“Now coming back on a Pro car fighting for the outright victory is a huge honor.

“Together with EBM, which has won this race already with Porsche overall before, we’re obviously trying to repeat that.

“EBM has proven themselves recently to be really strong with the [Type-]992 GT3 R, so I think we not only have a strong lineup but also a strong car and a strong team.

“I’m really looking forward to hopefully fight for the outright victory.”

The 24-year-old, who also recently became a fully fledged Porsche factory driver, said the manufacturer’s continued support around Bathurst, and other IGTC events, in the region, including the Suzuka 1000km, a race that he contested with Origine Motorsport last year.

One of Heinrich’s breakout moments came in the 2023 running of the Indianapolis 8 Hour when he scored overall pole in a Pro-Am class Porsche, prior to embarking on his first full season IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship campaign, where he won the GTD Pro class championship with AO Racing.

A total of 31 GT3 cars are set to take part in the Bathurst 12 Hour this weekend.

“Bathurst is catching a lot of momentum right now,” said Heinrich. “The field is getting bigger and there’s a lot of interest from many different manufacturers.

“Us, at Porsche, through Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, they have a great department there. For them, this is one of the biggest races of the year.

“They put a lot of effort, which is great to see because it’s one of the greatest endurance races that we have on the planet.”

Heinrich Set for “New Dynamic” of Racing Against Team Owner

The German driver said he’s bracing himself for a unique element this weekend, as his EBM Porsche will be in the same class as JMR Johor Racing’s Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, which will include EBM team owner Earl Bamber as one of its drivers.

“It’s definitely a dynamic that I never had before that you’re racing against the team owner, and I’m actually racing in his team,” said Heinrich.

“That will be interesting, but in the end, we’re all professionals. I think he can separate it quite well being a driver and a team owner at the same time.

“We’re focusing on our program, hopefully trying to beat Earl.

“I’m sure that if we manage to win he will not be too upset. It’s also special for him as he has double the chance to win the race.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John