RAM Motorsport Confirms Drivers, Livery for Bathurst 12 Hour

RAM Motorsport has revealed a spectacular new livery for its Mercedes-AMG GT3, while also announcing the three drivers who will pilot the car in next weekend’s LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour.

Two-time Bathurst 6 Hour class winner Michael Sheargold will be joined by GWR Australia team owner Garth Walden and accomplished Bathurst racer Brett Hobson in the distinctive green and black Mercedes, which will compete in the GT3 Amateur Class (Class A-Am).

All three drivers have extensive experience at the Mountain; in addition to Sheargold’s aforementioned B6HR class wins, Walden boasts two class victories in the Bathurst 12 Hour (2008 and ’09), while Hobson has completed many laps at Bathurst in Supercars, GT3 cars and production cars.

Off the back of his most recent B6HR class win last month, Sheargold is upbeat, but he is approaching the race with a degree of caution.

“I really enjoyed this year’s Bathurst 6 Hour, but I know the 12 Hour is a completely different ball-game with significantly faster cars and double the distance,” Sheargold said.

“I’ll be approaching the event much the same way as I approached my maiden 6 Hour last year – I won’t be taking any unnecessary risks and I’ll be leaning on my more experienced co-drivers for advice and guidance.

“I’m fortunate enough to have done laps around the Mountain in the car already, at Challenge Bathurst and in the GT World Challenge round last year, so that will accelerate the process of familiarising myself with the circuit.”

Hobson and Walden’s last start in the 12 Hour came aboard a Nissan GTR in 2020, and both drivers are excited to be tackling the event in a current-spec car.

Hobson said one of the team’s biggest strengths is the relationship between the three drivers.

“Garth, Mike and I get on extremely well outside the car,” Hobson said.

“When we’re behind the wheel, we’re highly competitive and we take things seriously, but off the track we have a lot of fun and appreciate each other’s company, which makes these sorts of race meetings very enjoyable occasions.

“Everyone knows Garth is a talented and versatile driver, but Mike has an enormous amount of potential and is already doing very well, considering he only started racing three years ago. Every time he gets in the car, he just goes better and better.”

While he might own the team, Walden said he knows the importance of delegation on race weekends to ensure he can focus on driving.

“I’ve prided myself on bringing together personnel with a competitive attitude and positive mindset to ensure I can concentrate on the driving, without having to worry too much about race day operations,” Walden said.

“The Bathurst 12 Hour is a race where making the right tactical decisions is critical, and that’s an area where our engineering group is absolutely first-class.”

All three drivers tested the RAM Motorsport Mercedes at Sydney Motorsport Park today; practice for the 12 Hour commences next Friday, 13 May.