BMW M Motorsport works driver John Edwards has been a staple in the BMW lineup since 2014, driving GT cars for BMW M Team RLL in every season since then. Edwards will still be driving GT cars in 2023, but it will be with different teams, as RLL switched from GT to the GTP program for this year. Edwards had already been confirmed in the Turner Motorsport GTD PRO class M4 GT3 for the four IMSA Endurance Cup rounds (Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta), but he will also be competing in the GT World Challenge championship with ST Racing.
Edwards will be paired up with Samantha Tan in the ST Racing #38 M4 GT3 in the full GT World Challenge championship, competing in the Pro-Am class, after a request was granted by the series to keep Tan with a Bronze driver rating after initially being moved up to Silver. Edwards brings a wealth of experience to the team, as well as pure speed. “We are pleased and excited to have John Edwards join our team and co-drive our #38 BMW M4 GT3 with Samantha,” said Team Principal Kenneth Tan. “We are grateful to continue our collaboration with BMW Motorsport, utilizing their support now and looking forward to what the future may bring. 2022 was a challenging year but allowed us to learn and develop. I know we will be even more competitive this season and I can’t wait to be in Sonoma for our first race at the end of March.”
Tan has a lot of experience in BMWs as well and has proven to be quick in the M4 GT3 in the races they competed in last year. “I’m ecstatic to welcome John Edwards to the Samantha Tan Racing team!” she said. “He’s an incredible and highly experienced racing driver, and I’m looking forward to working with and learning from him. For the first time in my career, I have the privilege and opportunity to work with a factory driver, and I’m confident this will bolster my own progress as a driver. Our thanks to BMW Motorsport for the support. I look forward to the start of the GT World Challenge America season!”
The GT World Challenge America season starts on the weekend of March 30th–April 2nd at Sonoma Raceway in California. —David Haueter
[Photos by BMW, SRO]
