Operation title defence is go.

Dirk Müller and Joey Hand will represent BMW Team RLL as reigning GT champions. As in the past three seasons, Bill Auberlen will also start in a BMW M3 GT. New to the team are 2001 ALMS GT champion Jörg Müller and Uwe Alzen.

In addition to his driving duties in the DTM in Europe, Hand will contest his fourth season with BMW Team RLL in North America. In the case of any clashes, his focus will be on the DTM programme. Alzen will bolster boss Bobby Rahal’s team at the curtain-raiser to the season in Sebring, as well as the season ender at Road Atlanta.

BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt said: "We line up with the BMW M3 GT against the strong competition in this thrilling championship for the fourth time. Our goal is obviously to successfully defend the titles. The driver line-up certainly gives us every chance to achieve that goal. The reigning champions, Dirk Müller and Joey Hand, have been regular members of the team since 2009, as has Bill Auberlen. They are joined by two experienced GT drivers in Jörg Müller and Uwe Alzen. I am certain that ALMS fans can look forward to more thrilling races in 2012."

"The co-operation with Dirk Müller, Joey Hand and Bill Auberlen has been very successful in recent years, and I am delighted that they will also be racing with us in 2012," added team boss Bobby Rahal. "Jörg Müller has already won the ALMS Driver’s championship and he and Uwe Alzen will strengthen our team. We are now preparing intensively for the official test in February, before the season really kicks off at the 12 Hours of Sebring."