Ricky Capo will drive with Steven Richards in the BMW Team SRM M6 GT3 in this weekend’s Sandown Australian GT Championship round.

The drive represents Capo’s return to the championship having raced a BMW Z4 GT3 in Australian GT in 2016.

He has raced overseas since then, in a period highlighted by LMP3 class victory in the European Le Mans Series’ 4 Hours of Monza just under 12 months ago.

“I did a handful of rounds in Australian GT in 2016 with the BMW Z4 GT3 and we were quite competitive,” said Capo.

“I was pitted with Steve and the BMW Team SRM crew at those races, so it was a great opportunity to get to know them all.

“We always talked about the possibility of working together with the M6 GT3 and I’m really happy that it’s come to fruition.

“It’s useful having some insight into how a BMW racing car works, but I’m also mindful of the fact that the M6 is a very different beast to the Z4.

“The deal came together quite quickly, but I feel well-prepared. I’ve been training hard because I know these opportunities can come up at any time.

“I’m just looking forward to getting in the car and learning as much as I can.”

Richards added, “Ricky is a great addition to the team; he’s got a lot of experience in a wide variety of high-downforce cars.

“We worked with Ricky during the 2016 season when he was running the BMW Z4 GT3, so we know a bit about how he goes about the business.

“I think he’s a great candidate to help us get some results at Sandown.”

Richards is currently fifth in the Australian GT Championship having finished third when partnered by Michael Almond last time out in the endurance race at The Bend.

Round 3 features three 40-minute races on the Shannons Nationals program this weekend (May 11-13).