Johor Motorsports Racing (JMR) has annouced its driver line-up for next month’s Bathurst 12 Hour, as it brings the Chevrolet and Corvette brands to The Mountain for the first time.
The Malaysian team, which is a regular in GT World Challenge Asia competition, will field two Z06 GT3.Rs, including one entry in the Pro category.
The #2 Pro effort will be driven by Corvette Racing factory drivers Earl Bamber, Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg, who shared a Pratt Miller-run GTD PRO Corvette in the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Two-time Bathurst class winner Bamber is set to make his first start at the race since 2018. The Kiwi, notably, will be competing against his own team, which is fielding a factory-supported Porsche.
“I’m really looking forward to returning to Bathurst and getting back in the Corvette with Nicky and Alex,” Bamber said.
“I had really great times with them at IMSA in 2024, and I’m excited to work with them again. I know a lot of the JMR guys as well, and they’re putting out fast cars with the Corvettes. Hopes are high. I can’t wait to get back to one of the greatest races in the world.”
Sims is the only Bathurst rookie in the car, whilst Catsburg is returning to the race for the first time since 2023.
“Bathurst has been on my bucket list for so many years, but was difficult to do with my other racing commitments,” commented Sims.
“We have simulator days planned to get up to speed, so I can be fully prepared for the race. It’s a very daunting circuit; it looks exciting on TV, but it’ll bite you if you get things wrong. That obviously raises the stakes somewhat, but the high-speed and high-commitment sections sound like a good mix to me. I’m hopeful we can execute a good, solid race, stay on top of the strategy and make the right calls with good pit stops. A lot of cars don’t make it to the end, and we have to make sure we’re not one of those.”
Catsburg added: “It’s going to be super-cool to go up the mountain in Corvette’s first outing there, and to race for JMR in the Pro car. It’s an amazing opportunity and gives me a chance to win one of the iconic races that I haven’t won before.”
The sister #99 Z06 GT3.R, which is entered in Pro-Am, will be driven by four of JMR’s GT World Challenge Asia regulars: Their highnesses Prince Jefri Ibrahim and Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim, alongside Ben Green and Jordan Love.
Prince Jefri Ibrahim will be aiming to finally claim victory at Bathurst, after finishing third in class on all three of his previous appearances at the 12-Hour.
“Bathurst has always been a very special place for me and one of my favourite tracks in the world,” he said. “The history, fans, atmosphere and racing are incredible, and it’s also where I first raced in Australia. 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.”
27-year old Love, who finished fourth overall in 2023, is set to make his third Bathurst start, whilst both Green and Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim are rookies at the Intercontinetal GT Challenge season opener.
“Racing the Bathurst 12-Hour has been a dream for me,” Green commented. “It’s a track and race event I’ve admired since I first found motorsport. I believe the biggest challenge will be having a clean race – there are a lot of walls close to the racing line and there’ll be a lot of cars on track. I’m confident our Z06 GT3.R will fly through the mountain section, as demanding tracks are where our Corvette excels.”
2026 will be JMR’s first Bathurst start as an independent operation. It has competed at the race with significant support from Triple Eight Race Engineering in the past – and it will also be just its second-ever race competing in the Pro ranks.
The team first ran a Pro class entry at last year’s Suzuka 1000KM, when Catsburg, Sims and Scott McLaughlin finished third overall.
Feature image © Gruppe C Photography / SRO
