BMW WORKS DRIVER JOHN EDWARDS TO JOIN SAMANTHA TAN RACING FOR 2023 GT WORLD CHALLENGE AMERICA CAMPAIGN

ST Racing is pleased to confirm that BMW Motorsports works driver John Edwards will compete alongside team co-owner Samantha Tan in GT World Challenge America in 2023.

A frontrunner in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, John Edwards put himself firmly on the map competing with BMW Team RLL, the eponymous BMW works outfit of IndyCar legend Bobby Rahal. John’s celebrated successes during that period includes his GTLM class win at the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona en-route to an incredibly close 2nd in that year’s GTLM championship.

Prior to his GT racing career, John established himself as a young gun to watch when, in 2004, he became the youngest winner in US open-wheel road racing history, in the Formula Dodge Race Series, at just 12 years old. More success followed as the young American was crowned Star Mazda Champion and Atlantic Champion in successive years in 2008 and 2009, results that led to his first Rolex Sports Car Series season – and win – in 2010.

2023 marks a decade since John first officially competed with BMW Motorsport, the then-21-year-old having been picked to join BMW Team RLL in a part-campaign in the American Le Mans Series in 2013. John’s results included a maiden ALMS win at Lime Rock Park and he was confirmed as a full-time BMW Motorsport driver in the inaugural WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2014. He has competed with the illustrious Bavarian brand ever since.

John will partner Samantha Tan in #38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3. No stranger to North American GT competition, Samantha is a multi-time class podium finisher in both GT4 America and TC America. Strong drives by Samantha helped her team secure 1-2 in the SRO GT4 West Pro-Am title honors in 2019 as well as the GT4 America Silver Team championship in 2020. Samantha also secured the Overall GT Drivers’ championship in the endurance-focused 24H SERIES in 2021.

Samantha Tan, co-owner/driver: “I’m ecstatic to welcome John Edwards to the Samantha Tan Racing team! 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!”

John Edwards, driver: “I’m thrilled to be joining STR for my first full season of SRO! I know the team has been working hard in the off season and I am looking forward to bringing home some wins with Samantha this year!”

Kenneth Tan, Team Principal: “We are pleased and excited to have John Edwards join our team and co-drive our #38 BMW M4 GT3 with Samantha. 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. And of course to taste some excellent wines in the area… Cheers!”

Jon Miller, Team Manager: “The enthusiasm within the team for the upcoming season is higher than ever. We have some performance testing planned soon with our new and returning drivers in our GT3 and GT4 programs. We’re all ready to get back to work and back to racing after a busy off season.”

ST Racing’s 2023 GTWC campaign begins at the Sonoma Raceway, California, on March 30th to April 2nd. Updates on the ground will be available through ST Racing’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter: @STRacing_Team and Instagram: @samanthantanracing and on their website: http://www.st-racing.org