World Class Driver Line-Up For Corvette’s Bathurst 12-Hour Debut - JMR

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- Johor Motorsports Racing Team (JMR) has announced a seven-strong squad of world-class drivers to contest next month’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12-Hour endurance race as it will also be Corvette’s first-ever outing at the legendary event, signalling an exciting new era for the brand’s GT3 campaign.

JMR in a statement said alongside Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al Haj will be a new Pro team starring Corvette Racing factory pilots Alexander Sims, Nicky Catsburg and Earl Bamber.

Meanwhile, JMR’s regular Pro drivers Ben Green and Jordan Love will join Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Abu Bakar as the four drivers fight for glory in the Pro-Am class with the #99 car.

Tunku Abdul Rahman said Bathurst has always been a special place for him and one of his favourite tracks in the world with the history, fans and racing atmosphere are incredible. 

"I’ve raced the 12-Hour three times, and since starting JMR it has been one of my main goals to return with our own team. To return next month with two cars makes it even more meaningful, especially racing alongside my brother and two great teammates, Jordan Love and Ben Green. 

"Watching Bathurst last year was a huge motivation for us, and now to return with a new manufacturer in GM Corvette makes it even more exciting. We’ve been working towards this moment for a long time, and I’m incredibly proud to see JMR lining up with a Pro car at such an iconic event. We’re ready for the challenge and looking forward to an exciting year ahead," he said. 

Bathurst has previously been a happy hunting ground for Tunku Abdul Rahman with the team owner and principal securing three Pro-Am podium results there between 2022 and 2024.

For the 2026 race, both of JMR’s teams will drive the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R that won races and took podiums in the 2025 GT World Challenge Asia championship and Suzuka 1000 endurance race.

The Bathurst 12-Hour will be just the second time that JMR has fielded a Pro-only team; in its debut at September’s Suzuka 1000 the Pro team surged to a memorable overall podium result.

-- BERNAMA