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Strong GT field set for sprint blast around The Bend
Top-level GT sportscars will make a popular return to The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend, competing in Round 3 of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS.
Nineteen cars will take to the 4.95km circuit layout, with a strong contingent of internationally renowned cars steered by a mix of professional and amateur racers around a track that, quiet simply, was built for these GT3 cars.
Headlining the field is Pro/Am leaders Garth Tander and Yasser Shahin in their Audi R8 LMS Evo.
The pair dominated the opening round at Phillip Island, and took another race win at the recent round at Bathurst that ensures the pair a comfortable lead in the four round sprint championship.
Tander and Shahin, along with a number of other GT competitors, enjoyed a test at The Bend’s world-class facility recently, putting them in a better position come the start of the three-day race weekend.
While Tander and Shahin are the runaway leaders, the Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes Benz will have the Audi pair in its sights. Prince Jefri Ibrahim will be joined by Broc Feeney in the silver #888 – his third different team-mate in as many rounds. Feeney has been brought in to replace Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen who both have their regular duties in the Supercars Championship to focus on.
Another Supercars driver unable to race is Chaz Mostert, who will be replaced by TCR Australia regular Dylan O’Keeffe alongside Tony Bates in the Bostik Audi.
Mostert and Bates have been a model of consistency so far, with the pair currently equal third on points. O’Keeffe’s strong experience in GT will put Bates in good stead to continue to put the heat on Tander/Shahin and Ibrahim.
In the Amateur class, Tony Quinn has been the man to catch in his Local Legends Aston Martin Vantage. The veteran racer was undefeated at the recent round at Mount Panorama and currently holds a strong 27 point advantage over Andrew MacPherson and Ben Borter’s shared Lamborghini Huracan.
In the GT Trophy Series, the battle is hotly-contested with Brad Schumacher’s Audi and Brett Hobson’s Nissan separated by just 13 points.
The GT field will practice and qualify on Friday, followed by two one hour races both on Saturday and Sunday.
Round 3, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS entry list, The Bend
|
Entry Type |
Car # |
Division |
Sponsor |
Driver 1 |
Driver 2 |
Car Make |
Car Model |
|
Champ |
3 |
Am |
OK Communication |
Eric Constantinidis |
Audi |
R8 LMS Evo |
|
|
Champ |
7 |
Am |
Local Legends |
Tony Quinn |
Aston Martin |
Vantage GT3 2019 |
|
|
Champ |
51 |
Am |
Imak Kwikmit |
Andrew Macpherson |
Ben Porter |
Lamborghini |
Huracan |
|
Champ |
67 |
Am |
Forum Group |
Bill Papas |
Audi |
R8 LMS Evo |
|
|
Champ |
91 |
Am |
Canon Foods |
Arthur Abrahams |
Audi |
R8 LMS Evo |
|
|
Champ |
4 |
Pro/Am |
Grove Group / Dasher + Fisher Gin |
Stephen Grove |
Brenton Grove |
Porsche |
GT3-R 911-II |
|
Champ |
24 |
Pro/Am |
Bostik Racing – AFS Logistics |
Tony Bates |
Dylan O’Keefe |
Audi |
R8 LMS Evo |
|
Champ |
777 |
Pro/Am |
The Bend Motorsport Park / Valvoline |
Yasser Shahin |
Garth Tander |
Audi |
R8 LMS Evo |
|
Champ |
888 |
Pro/Am |
Triple Eight Race Engineering – JMR |
Prince Jefri Ibrahim |
Brock Feeney |
Mercedes |
AMG GT3 |
|
Trophy |
5 |
Am |
Arris Property Developments |
Greg Taylor |
Audi |
R8 LMS Ultra |
|
|
Trophy |
17 |
Am |
What do you Meme? |
Mark Rosser |
Audi |
R8 LMS |
|
|
Trophy |
23 |
Am |
K.F.C. |
Matt Stoupas |
Audi |
R8 LMS |
|
|
Trophy |
33 |
Am |
Perfect Auto Body |
Vince Muriti |
Mercedes |
AMG-GT3 |
|
|
Trophy |
38 |
Am |
Trading Garage / The Motorists |
Michael Bailey |
Aston Martin |
Vantage GT3 2014 |
|
|
Trophy |
55 |
Am |
Schumacher Motorsport / Kelso Electrical |
Brad Schumacher |
Audi |
R8 LMS Ultra |
|
|
Trophy |
77 |
Am |
Forum |
Vince Tesoriero |
Audi |
R8 LMS Ultra |
|
|
Trophy |
96 |
Am |
Hobson Motorsport |
Brett Hobson |
Nissan |
Nismo GT3 |
|
|
Trophy |
99 |
Am |
Industrie |
Nick Kelly |
Mercedes |
AMG-GT3 |
|
|
Trophy |
124 |
Am |
K.F.C. |
Gary Higgon |
Paul Stokell |
Audi |
R8 LMS |