Stephen, Brenton Grove lock in Le Mans debuts

Grove Racing team owners and experienced GT racers Stephen and Brenton Grove have confirmed they will be taking on the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

Five-time class winners at the Bathurst 12 Hour, the father and son duo will team up with Italian outfit Iron Lynx in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, competing in the LMGT3 category.

The Groves will be sharing the car with a name very familiar to Bathurst 12 Hour viewers, with two-time 12 Hour winner and factory Mercedes pilot Luca Stolz joining the pair.

The 2025 running of the endurance classic will take place from June 14-15, falling in between the Bosch Power Tools Perth Super 440 (June 6-8), and the Betr Darwin Triple Crown (June 20-22).

Iron Lynx already run two cars in LMGT3 in the World Endurance Championship, with the Grove/Grove/Stolz combination a third invitational entry for Le Mans only.

There is already Australian representation in LMGT3, with Yasser Shahin competing for this year's Bathurst 12 Hour winners Team WRT in a BMW backed by The Bend Motorsport Park, a sister entry to that of 12 Hour runner-up and motorcycle legend Valentino Rossi.

For 57-year-old Stephen, the Le Mans announcement marks a return to racing after his horrific accident at Skyline in this year's Bathurst 12 Hour, which saw him launched skywards, breaking his back.

It's also a return to Le Mans for the senior Grove, who competed at the Circuit de la Sarthe in the 2014 Carrera Cup support race.

"Le Mans is the last big race on my bucket list. I had a taste of the event in 2014 in a support category, but to do the main race is something I’ve always wanted to do," said Stephen.

"To team up with Brenton, Luca and Iron Lynx gives me real confidence for the event. I know the AMG well and I feel now is the right time to take this opportunity and make the most of it. I can’t wait for the month of June to roll around."

27-year-old Brenton Grove, a former Triple Eight driver in the Dunlop Super2 Series. is also looking forward to tackling the crown jewel event of global sportscar racing, and says competing with his father makes it all the more sweeter.

"I’m so excited for this year’s program and the 24 Hour of Le Mans with AMG and Iron Lynx," said Brenton.

"To have the opportunity to compete in the biggest race in the world alongside my father and Luca is definitely my career highlight.

"I’ve watched the race since I was a little kid, so to experience the atmosphere and be in the race during its golden years is something truly special. I can’t wait for the challenge."