News
Podium finishes motivate Tony Bates for 2023 season
A podium result in Adelaide for Tony Bates has motivated the experienced racer to build on this result this season.
Partnering with Audi Sport factory ace Kelvin van der Linde in the C-Tech Laser R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, Bates completed the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season on a relative high by taking two seconds and a fourth.
Penalties proved costly in Adelaide as the pair lost the race win in the second event due to a safety car infraction dropping the team to second. On for a clean-sweep of seconds for the weekend in the finale, a penalty for a breach of the minimum compulsory pit stop time dropped to duo to fourth.
Bates reflected on a tough campaign in 2022, as the pace displayed in Adelaide left him confident of an improved campaign in the new year.
“Although the penalties in Races 2 and 3 were disappointing, our pace this weekend was the strongest it’s been all season,” Bates said.
“To be back up the front of the field, fighting for victory is very satisfying and it was enjoyable to be back at the Adelaide Street Circuit, one of my favourite tracks.
“Kelvin was a superstar behind the wheel and we both had a lot of fun, on and off the track.
“Our speed this weekend has really boosted my confidence and I’m super-motivated to launch into 2023.”
Tony Bates will reveal his racing plans for this year in due course.