Dan Harper expects Team WRT to be pushing hard for a fourth 24 Hours of Dubai victory this weekend as a strong driver line-up is using the Evo version of BMW Motorsport’s M4 GT3 car.
Harper is making his debut at the marathon event in the United Arab Emirates, although the Belgian squad is known to him having raced with them in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. He has also chalked up hundreds of hours in the BMW, scoring both victories and podiums along the way.
The 24-year-old is co-driving the No.777 Al Manar Racing-liveried BMW with Al Faisal Al Zubair, Max Hesse, Ben Tuck and Darren Leung with whom he won the 2023 British GT3 title.
They are part of a capacity 65-car grid for the 20th instalment of the event at Dubai Autodrome, which is set to get under way this morning.
Competition will come in the guise of 2023/2024 Middle East Trophy Champions Manamauri Energy by Ebimotors (Porsche 911 GT3 R), with World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanpera taking part in a Huber Racing-run Porsche GT3R. Meanwhile, Climax Racing, Team Motopark, SMP Racing and Haupt Racing are all campaigning identical versions of the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
“I am really happy to be competing in the first race of 2025 in Dubai and, for the first time, doing the 24-hour race, although I know the track from the Asian Le Mans Series last year,” said Harper.
“We have a really good line-up and, obviously, Team WRT is the best team to be going there with; they won there in 2023, so it is all positive and the sun and warm weather is a bonus.
“I think we are definitely going to be in the mix and it is also great to have Al Manar Racing and Al Faisal with us. And having Max and Darren, who are both familiar faces, is also really cool.
“I am really looking forward to getting the new season under way nice and early in the year,” added Harper, who started 17 races in 10 countries across four continents last season.
“The Dubai 24 Hours is a fantastic event and the perfect way to get back up to speed for the year ahead and it is an exciting new collaboration between Team WRT and Al Manar Racing — it is great to be part of their first event together”