HEART of Racing by SPS will enter to the 2024 Repco Bathurst 12 hour, making their debut in Australia’s International Endurance race next year.

The collaboration between German-based SPS Automotive Performance and the US-based Heart of Racing have entered a Mercedes-AMG GT3 into the February 16-18 event.

British drivers Ian James and Ross Gunn will be joined by Spaniard Alex Riberas in the event that doubles as the opening round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

Team principal Ian James contested all races for Heart of Racing by SPS last year and celebrated two class victories and a class podium in three IMSA GTD Pro races.

Experienced Briton Ross Gunn, who has already enjoyed many races and successes in prestigious series such as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA WEC, will also take his seat in the cockpit of the number 27 car.

The line-up is completed by Alex Riberas. The Spaniard has been a mainstay of the Heart of Racing program for four seasons, with two race wins in the IMSA Sports Car Championship GTD Pro class last year.

He also contested the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 hours of Le Mans with the Northwest AMR team – the latter with Ian James.

Last year, Riberas and Heart of Racing finished fourth in the GTD PRO class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The driver trio will line up in the Pro-Am category for their first joint appearance at Bathurst.

Through its motorsport programmes, Heart of Racing raises funds for paediatric research, in particular for Seattle Children’s Hospital, one of the largest institutions of its kind.

SPS automotive performance is proud to be part of this project at the legendary Australian endurance classic, with the partnership having already been announced to continue at the 24 Hours of Dubai in January.

“We are very excited about the Bathurst 12 Hour challenge,” said Stephan Sohn, Team Principal SPS automotive performance.

“The track is really unique and very demanding. Starting in the darkness is also a first for us. The Mercedes-AMG GT3 has been the car to beat in recent years. That makes us optimistic that we can show a good performance in this race.

“The drivers and the team are highly motivated to achieve a good result.”