Mercedes-AMG confirm record-breaking GT3 entry for 2026
4h
MERCEDES-AMG have confirmed a record-breaking fleet of 10 entries for the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour as the Affalterbach brand goes all-out to claim a record fourth win in Australia’s International Enduro.
10 Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries are entered; six of them in the outright Pro class while two each will compete for class honours in Pro-Am and Bronze this year. It’s not only the brand’s largest representation on record, but the most GT3 cars ever entered by a single marque in the event’s 15-year history as a GT enduro.
Three Mercedes-AMG ‘performance’ teams are entered; Mercedes-AMG Team Tigani Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing and Mercedes-AMG Team GMR.
Tigani will make their first Bathurst start as an AMG Performance team, while Craft-Bamboo and GMR return and have become fan favourites across their histories on the Mountain.
“The Bathurst 12 Hour is one of the most important races on the international GT calendar,” said Stefan Wendl, Head of Mercedes-AMG Customer Racing.
“With ten Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars – including six vehicles in the Pro class – we will once again field the largest brand entry in the grid in 2026, underlining the strength and appeal of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 for our Customer Racing Teams worldwide.
“The Mount Panorama Circuit is one of the most technically demanding tracks in GT racing and places the highest demands on the car, the team and the drivers. Our goal is clear: we want to fight for overall victory once again at the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.”
MERCEDES-AMG TEAM TIGANI MOTORSPORT / PRO
Based in Wollongong in New South Wales, Tigani enter the Pro class for the first time with a stunning combination. Jayden Ojeda – who has led the team in local competition for two years and is a factory-backed AMG pilot – returns to be joined by Philip Ellis and Fabian Schiller.
HEART OF RACING BY SPS / BRONZE
STRONG performances in their first two outings included seventh outright and the Bronze-class victory in 2025 for the team led by Ian James, who returns this year. The remaining two drivers are yet to be announced.
GEYER VALMONT RACING / TIGANI MOTORSPORT / PRO-AM
LOOKING to bounce back from their devastating non-finish in the early stages of last year’s race, good mates Sergio Pires and Marcel Zalloua are back and have brought with them some firepower; Scott Andrews returns for another bout, while they’re joined by Brendon Leitch for the first time in a powerful quartet.
RAM MOTORSPORT / GWR Australia / PRO-AM
THE Bathurst experience of car owner Mike Sheargold, Garth Walden and Brett Hobson, all with former 12-Hour starts to their credit, will see them joined by current Carrera Cup champion, Dylan O’Keeffe.
SUPABARN SUPERMARKETS / TIGANI MOTORSPORT / BRONZE
LOOKING for a fourth 12-Hour class win, the Koundouris Brothers are back and have old mate and Great Race podium finisher David Russell along for the ride again. Supercars rookie Zach Bates gets his first crack at the Mountain in GT3 form in this Bronze class contender.
75 EXPRESS / PRO
WIN, Win, Second, Third: That’s the last four years for Kenny Habul’s team so there’s little need to change what works. three-time winner Joules Gounon is back to try for a fourth once again, as are Luca Stolz and part-time Conrod Straight resident, Kenny himself.
MERCEDES-AMG TEAM CRAFT-BAMBOO RACING / PRO
MORE than a decade after their debut and with many podium finishes to their name, Craft-Bamboo Racing return with another strong squad ready to challenge for victory. Estonian Ralf Aron joins the team, while Maximilian Gotz returns and 2025 Allan Simonsen Pole Award winner Lucas Auer is back for more.
GROVE RACING / PRO
Entering Australia’s International enduro for the first time as a fully-professional entry, Grove Racing will have a crack at outright victory this year with Supercars finalist Kai Allen making his 12-Hour debut and joined by Will Davison – who has plenty of GT3 experience – and Brenton Grove.
SCOTT TAYLOR MOTORSPORT / PRO
SCOTT TAYLOR’S team, who will once again support the Prostate Cancer Foundation efforts this year, has locked away the vastly experienced and strong squad of Chaz Mostert, Thomas Randle and Cam Waters for their 2026 attack.
MERCEDES-AMG TEAM GMR / PRO
TWICE a polesitter, Maro Engel returns for a tenth shot at Bathurst glory this year with the experienced hand of Maxime Martin – now a Mercedes-AMG driver – and Mikael Grenier alongside aboard the popular team GMR Mercedes-AMG GT3.
DRIVER COMMENTS:
“The 12-hour race in Bathurst is always something very special for me, as it is my home race. There are few feelings comparable to a strong lap around the Mount Panorama Circuit in a Mercedes-AMG GT3. To line up together with Tigani Motorsport as a Mercedes-AMG Performance Team at an IGTC race is fantastic. We aim for the top step of the podium at every race, but now being able to fight for victory with a Pro entry is a dream. It would be something we would all remember for the rest of our lives.” - Jayden Ojeda, Mercedes-AMG Team Tigani Motorsport #6
“The circuit, the fans and the atmosphere in Bathurst are unique. Driving there is great fun every time. Together with Kenny and Jules, we have been very successful in recent years. By now, we are a perfectly well-rehearsed team and know our strengths exactly. The level of competition increases year after year. In 2026, there will be more Pro cars on the grid than ever before. That is a strong statement for this race, but at the same time an enormous challenge when it comes to fighting for a podium position. All the more, I hope that we will succeed once again.” - Luca Stolz, 75 Express #75
“I am extremely excited to race in Bathurst for the first time. In general, I love street circuits as well as tracks that are demanding and unique. As preparation, I have watched countless onboard videos and completed several simulator sessions, but nothing compares to driving the circuit in real life. I am very happy to be competing together with the Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing, a team I already know quite well. With Maxi, I have a teammate who is extremely experienced at Bathurst. And Luggi is a very fast driver overall. I can’t wait to hit the track.” - Ralf Aron, Mercedes-AMG Team Craft-Bamboo Racing #77
"Racing a GT3 car in Bathurst in front of the Aussie crowd and being supported while battling some of the best GT drivers in the world is always something very special and a real thrill. What makes the Mount Panorama Circuit so special is its epic layout along the side of a mountain, which makes it extremely difficult to put together a perfect lap. I love coming back year on year trying to go faster. GT3 is the category with the highest downforce that I compete in, and the car generates its lap time mainly at the top of the mountain with crazy cool speeds, while Supercars make their time down on the straights. Together with my team-mates, I will try to surprise one or two competitors.” - Chaz Mostert, Scott Taylor Motorsport #222
“Bathurst is a huge highlight every year. One of my absolute favourite tracks on the racing calendar, alongside the Nürburgring Nordschleife and Macau. Of course, I like to think back to the qualifying lap record in 2023. That was a very good lap in a perfectly balanced Mercedes-AMG GT3, one I am proud of, but where I also went to the absolute limit. Especially in qualifying, it is always a delicate moment when you flirt with the limits and have to drive extremely close to the wall. I am still missing the victory, so that is my absolute goal for this year.” - Maro Engel, Mercedes-AMG Team GMR #888
