Brad Schumacher will follow his regular GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS co-driver Will Brown and join Arise Racing GT in its second entry for the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.
Schumacher has been a loyalist to the Audi marque since his GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS debut in 2021, but will make the shift to the Ferrari 296 GT3 joining rivals from last season Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte to target the Pro-Am Class.
Completing the quartet is factory Ferrari FIA World Endurance Championship driver Alessio Rovera, who will make his Bathurst debut.
Arise Racing GT has already announced its Pro Class line-up led by Brown, Chaz Mostert and Daniel Serra.
A Bathurst local, Schumacher is excited by the opportunity to contest the once around the clock event with the Prancing Horse.
“It's amazing to join Arise Racing GT in the Ferrari, especially in my home town for this year's Bathurst 12 Hour,” Schumacher said.
“Driving with the Ferrari brand is literally something most can only dream of, so for sure I am pinching myself with this opportunity.”
Evans and Schutte finished the season strongly in 2024 to score third in the title, but Australia’s premier international endurance event presents a new challenge in the latest Ferrari.
“Starting the season at the Bathurst 12 Hour is always incredible, and this year’s partnership with Arise Racing GT feels super exciting,” Evans revealed.
“Having Ferrari factory ace Alessio Rovera and Brad Schumacher join Elliott and I give us a strong shot at Pro-Am honours.
“Following a successful debut with the 296 GT3 at Mount Panorama in GTWC Australia last year, I’m confident we’ll be competitive when February rolls around.”
Schutte added: “Five years ago, if someone had told me I'd be on the grid at the 12-hour in a Ferrari GT3, I'd have thought they were properly crazy.
“Coming from computer games and driver search competitions, it’s surreal to be given an opportunity to compete at this level, especially at such an iconic race.
“The challenge ahead is immense, but sharing the car with the likes of Jaxon, Alessio, and Brad gives me a lot of confidence – we’ve got a great package and a brilliant team behind us.”
After scoring third in the LMGT3 standings last year, Rovera is eager to experience the Mountain for the first time.
“I'm very excited to be racing with Team Arise Racing GT,” said Rovera.
“This will be my first time in Australia and my first experience on the Mount Panorama circuit. I can't wait to take on such an iconic track in a 12-hour race with my new teammates and with such a great team.”
Arise Racing GT’s Ferrari attack marks the first time the 296 GT3 will tackle the internationally revered Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, which acts as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge on January 31-February 2.