Pepper to Make BMW Debut in WRT Bathurst Effort

Jordan Pepper will make his BMW debut in Team WRT’s two-car effort in the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, as the Bavarian brand seeks to defend its crown in the Australian enduro.

The South African, who was revealed as the newest addition to BMW’s factory roster last month, will share driving duties aboard the No. 32 M4 GT3 EVO alongside compatriot Kelvin van der Linde and Charles Weerts.

Pepper is a former winner of the Bathurst 12H, having taken victory with Bentley in 2020.

“I’m really excited and proud to be coming to Bathurst with BMW M Motorsport and Team WRT,” said Pepper.

“What a place for my first works race! My memories of the race are very special. I won there in 2020 and I really enjoy the track, the place and the atmosphere.

“Of course, we also have pressure, because we are coming there as defending champions, but I have two great teammates in Kelvin and Charles.

“We get on very well on a professional and personal level. Driving with Kelvin is something very special for me. We’ve known each other for so long and complement each other very well.”

BMW and Team WRT won this year’s edition of the Intercontinental GT Challenge season opener with a 1-2 finish and has somewhat reshuffled its lineup as it seeks to become only the third brand in the race’s GT3 era to take back-to-back wins.

Augusto Farfus, who teamed up with the Van der Linde brothers in this year’s winning entry, has moved across to the No. 46 car, teaming up with Raffaele Marciello and Valentino Rossi.

Rossi, who was confirmed earlier this month to be leaving BMW’s FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 lineup, returns to Mount Panorama after securing a career-best result of second this past February.

In addition to the pair of WRT-run cars, BMW will also be represented at Mount Panorama by Team KRC, with factory driver Max Hesse confirmed to be completing the lineup of the No. 89 car alongside Ruan Cunfan and Maxime Oosten.