Rovera Joins Arise Racing GT’s Bathurst 12H Assault

Photo: Ferrari

Ferrari factory driver Alessio Rovera will join Arise Racing GT’s two-car assault on the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, as he spearheads the lineup for the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS-title winning team’s Pro-Am effort.

Rovera will share one of Arise’s two Ferrari 296 GT3s with team regulars Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte, as well as Brad Schumacher as he targets class honors in the Intercontinental GT Challenge curtain-raiser on Jan. 31-Feb. 2.

It will mark the Italian’s first taste of Bathurst, albeit aboard a car that he is intimately familiar with from a range of series worldwide including the FIA World Endurance Championship, where he competes for AF Corse.

“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.”

While Evans and Schutte spent the season campaigning the 296 GT3 in GT Australia, Schumacher will be making his first outing aboard a Ferrari, the Bathurst-based driver having mostly campaigned Audi machinery in recent years.

“It’s amazing to join Arise Racing GT in the Ferrari, especially in my home town for this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour,” commented Schumacher.

“Driving with the Ferrari brand is literally something most can only dream of, so for sure I am pinching myself with this opportunity. I am privileged to be co-driving alongside Alessio, Jaxon, and Elliott. Together, we make a very strong team.

“I am committed to giving my best for the team and cannot wait to get started.”

Schumacher’s co-driver from last year’s GT Australia season, Will Brown, was already announced as part of Arise’s Pro class Bathurst 12H effort together with Chaz Mostert and another member of the Ferrari works roster, Daniel Serra.