Edwards Lands Full Season Drive in ST Racing BMW

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

John Edwards will join Samantha Tan in ST Racing’s BMW M4 GT3 for the Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS season, it has been announced.

The BMW factory driver, who took part in last year’s Indianapolis 8 Hour with Turner Motorsport, is set for his first full season campaign in SRO America competition, in what will be Edwards’ primary focus this year.

While having driven for BMW Team RLL for nearly a decade, the 31-year-old was not selected to be part of the team’s GTP class effort with the new BMW M Hybrid V8.

Edwards previously told Sportscar365 that he was open to a future with the manufacturer in the GT3 ranks.

“I’m thrilled to be joining STR for my first full season of SRO,” he said. “I know the team has been working hard in the off-season and I am looking forward to bringing home some wins with Samantha this year.”

Tan, meanwhile, was previously announced as the first driver for the car, which is expected to race in Pro-Am, via a requested derogation of Tan’s driver rating from Silver to Bronze*.

“I’m ecstatic to welcome John Edwards to the Samantha Tan Racing team,” she said. “He’s an incredible and highly experienced racing driver, and I’m looking forward to working with and learning from him.

“For the first time in my career, I have the privilege and opportunity to work with a factory driver, and I’m confident this will bolster my own progress as a driver.

“Our thanks to BMW Motorsport for the support. I look forward to the start of the GT World Challenge America season.”

Team principal Kenneth Tan added: “We are grateful to continue our collaboration with BMW Motorsport, utilizing their support now and looking forward to what the future may bring. 2022 was a challenging year but allowed us to learn and develop.

“I know we will be even more competitive this season and I can’t wait to be in Sonoma for our first race at the end of March. And of course to taste some excellent wines in the area… Cheers!”

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