Dan Harper, a 25-year-old from Northern Ireland, has embarked on a remarkable journey in motorsport that began when he first drove a quad bike at five. Now a BMW factory driver, Harper reflects on his extraordinary achievements in 2026, which include racing alongside his idol Valentino Rossi and competing against Max Verstappen.

In just one year, Harper:

• Raced and beat Max Verstappen in the NLS series.
• Became teammates with Valentino Rossi in the GT World Challenge.
• Won the prestigious Daytona 24 Hours endurance race.
• Is set to make his debut at the iconic Le Mans 24 Hours.

Harper expressed his excitement, saying, "It's what I wanted to do from a kid...to see all the hard work paying off, it's all a dream."

The racing world buzzed when Verstappen, a four-time Formula 1 world champion, entered endurance racing, creating a special atmosphere at the Nurburgring. Harper shared a podium with Verstappen at NLS2 after a technical disqualification for Verstappen's team elevated Harper and Jordan Pepper to victory.

Growing up idolizing Rossi, Harper recalls, "Our whole family was somewhat interested in him – especially me. My first race number was 46 and my dog was called Rossi." Now, he finds it surreal to race alongside Rossi, noting their camaraderie and mutual motivation.

As he prepares for Le Mans, Harper aims for victory at what he calls "the biggest motorsport event in the world." His stellar year fuels his ambition, and he dreams of standing on the iconic podium. "If we have a good race and perform to what our potential is, then we have a really good shot," he stated, emphasizing the unpredictability of racing.

With his sights set on Le Mans, Harper is ready to embrace the challenge, knowing that every detail must come together for success.