Team UK graduate Dan Harper scored his first-ever win in the super-competitive GT World Challenge Europe Cup at Paul Ricard in France on Sunday. 

Though only 23-years-old, the Northern Irishman is starting his fifth season as a BMW factory driver having secured last year’s British GT Championship title for the manufacturer. 

Teaming up with Augusto Farfus and Max Hesse for ROWE Racing, the trio’s BMW M4 GT3 qualified in fifth place on the packed grid and was holding a strong second place when Harper took over the wheel from the fast-starting Farfus.  

Harper pulled off the move of the race to overtake the leading Lamborghini before handing over to Hesse who crossed the line with an impressive 13.5 second lead. 

“Absolutely over the moon to get my first victory in this championship – this one feels very special,” admitted a delighted Dan. “The car was absolutely flying and I loved my stint out there, making the move for the lead and pulling the gap. 

“It was a great way to start the year together with ROWE Racing, Augusto and Max. Many thanks to BMW M Motorsport for this opportunity! We worked incredibly well together as a team, had no problems, and all three of us were happy with the driving feel in the car.” 

Harper, of course, is no stranger to success. Having started competing aged six, he was a multiple champion in both quad bikes and karts before switching to junior rallying with some notable results there, too. 

His switch to circuit racing was then fuelled by winning two major scholarships, the first from Ginetta and the second from Porsche GB.  

Now established as one of M Motorsport’s top rising stars, Harper has a very busy calendar ahead. As well as contesting GT World Challenge Europe Cup, he is also defending his British GT Championship crown and making his Europe Sprint Cup debut, both with Century Motorsport – the latter blasts off at Brands Hatch on 4-5 May. His congested schedule also includes a return to the Nürburgring Endurance Series… so with such a packed programme there will be plenty of opportunities for further silverware in 2024.