2019 Bathurst 12 Hour winner Earl Bamber Motorsport has announced its entry into the 2026 edition of the race with the support of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific.
For the team’s third visit to Mount Panorama for the IGTC event, it will compete with a Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) in the Pro class with Klaus Bachler, Ricardo Feller and Laurin Heinrich.
2024 FIA WEC LMGT3 champion Bachler is a Bathurst rookie, having been denied a debut in 2024 when shipping delays forced HubAuto Racing to withdraw from the event.
“It’s always been on my wish list to race at Mount Panorama Circuit as the track looks fantastic and the atmosphere of the whole event is very special,” Bachler said.
“I’ve shared the car with Laurin and Ricardo before so I’m excited to work with both again. EBM is a very experienced team who won this enduro back in 2019 so I can’t wait to hit the track with them in February.”
Feller is the most experienced of the trio at Bathurst, having been ever-present since 2022 aboard Melbourne Performance Centre-run Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs. The 25-year-old finished on the Pro-Am podium in 2023, and qualified on the front row of the grid earlier this year.
“I’m looking forward to racing at Bathurst again as it’s definitely one of my favourite tracks,” Feller said.
“I’m very happy to be competing with EBM and sharing the car with Klaus and Laurin too. I think we’ll have a great chance and the goal is clear, we want to be fighting for the podium places.”
Porsche factory driver Henrich, meanwhile, is set to make his second start at the event, having qualified on Pro-Am pole, and finished second in class, with Porsche outfit Manthey EMA on debut this year.
“It’s great to return to Bathurst after my first appearance here in 2025 and this time in a Pro car makes it even more special,” Heinrich said.
“I’m pleased that I was able to gain lots of valuable experience during my debut. I know the team as I’ve worked with them during Thailand Super Series, which was very successful. I’m confident that the brilliant combination of Klaus and Ricardo alongside the team will deliver a strong performance on-track.”
EBM scored a sensational victory on debut in 2019, following a late move by Matt Campbell to secure victory for himself, Dennis Olsen and Dirk Werner. The team’s unsuccessful title defence one year later has subsequently remained its only other start at the race.
Since then, EBM has continued to retain a strong relationship with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific, fielding entries in events such as the 24 Hours of Spa and Suzuka 1000KM as well as Porsche’s one-make series in the region.
Alongside its Pro GT3 Porsche, EBM will also support Team NZ’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 at the event in 2026. In Bamber, EBM and Team NZ share a common founder.
The 2026 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, will be held on the weekend of 13th to 15th February 2026.
