GWR / RAM motorsport confirm 12-Hour return in 2026
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GWR Australia and RAM Motorsport will return to the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour for the first time since 2022, locking in the entry of their Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the 2026 edition of Australia’s International enduro.
A partnership between Garth Walden’s GWR Australia squad and the Mike Sheargold-led RAM Motorsport, the team has confirmed their Mercedes-AMG entry for the race.
However, they have opted to keep plans close to their chest when it comes to their driving squad and class selection though they expect to be contenders in their chosen category.
The team has a strong Bathurst track record; Walden himself a veteran of nine Bathurst 12 hour starts and a pair of class victories - while his team has multiple entries across the event’s history and were class winners in 2025.
“It’s going to be good to be back with a GT3 car and having a crack against some of the best in the world,” Walden said.
“We’ve had a steady involvement over the year event if we haven’t been running the Mercedes, and seeing David and the KTM guys on the top step of the Bathurst podium after so many years of trying was pretty special for all of us.
“If anything it spurred us on to have another go with the GT3 car, and after ticking the box in Dubai this year, the timing was right.
“It’s pretty exciting. We’re keeping our cards close to our chest for now when it comes to drivers and what class we’ll be in, but we’re not going there to finish second so we will be having a very good shot at it.
“The lure of standing on that top step of the podium is pretty strong for all of us involved.”
On their last start, the RAM / GWR team qualified fifth outright in the 2022 edition of the race – quickest of the GT3 Am contenders - before finishing 10th in the Pirelli shootout for pole.
Following a strong start, their race was ended after 170 laps following an accident.
"2022 was a bit of a baptism of fire for me personally, that ended in a pretty challenging day," Sheargold, who is the RAM Motorsport side of the partnership, added.
"I feel that my driving has come a long way since then, so I'm looking forward to next year's race and heading to the Mountain seeking a bit of redemption."
The team elected to sit out the following three editions of the 12-Hour, focussing instead on tackling key international endurance races including the 2025 Dubai 24 Hour.
Walden raced again in 2024 with the M Motorsport team, finishing 16th outright and fifth in the Pro-Am class with Jack le Brocq, Justin McMillan and Glen Wood.
GWR then fielded the KTM Vantage Racing X-Bow GT2 car in the 2025 race, winning the Invitational class after several years of trying by the David Crampton-owned car.
GWR’s 12 Hour history also includes fielding the Brett Hobson-owned Nissan GTR GT3 in 2020, finishing 21st outright and 5th in the Silver class.
