Battle of the Germans at the Mountain kicks off Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season

The outright battle for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS is a three-way fight between the big German brands starting this weekend at Mount Panorama.

Regular contenders Audi and Mercedes-AMG will have the added competition of Porsche featuring dual title winner Yasser Shahin spearheading attack alongside Garnet Patterson at EMA Autosport.

Audi Sport Customer Racing Australia will be bolstered by the return of multiple Australian GT series winner Geoff Emery and contender Liam Talbot, with both due to be joined by factory drivers.

A strong Am Class contingent led by Brad Schumacher add further to the Audi entries as Ash Samadi, GT Trophy graduate Michael Kokkinos, while reigning winning co-driver Paul Stokell moves across to Matt Stoupas’ KFC R8 LMS Evo II. Valmont Racing duo Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires complete the Audi armada upgrading to the latest specification R8.

On the Mercedes-AMG side, Triple Eight Race Engineering lead the attack courtesy of its two-car team featuring last year’s title contender Prince Jefri Ibrahim alongside Broc Feeney, while Prince Abu Bakar and Jamie Whincup once again pair up.

Backed by an expanded RAM Motorsport program featuring in both Pro-Am and Am for the first time. Returning to challenge for the Am Class title are Michael Sheargold and Garth Walden, while Brett Hobson converts his allegiance to Mercedes-AMG after previously driving the crowd favourite GT-R GT3 as he is joined by Mike Bailey.

Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport returns supporting Ross Poulakis as he is joined by Sam Brabham, who makes the step up from GT4. A second entry is set to join at Perth steered by Chris Batzios and Chelsea Angelo.

Another to change brands is Justin McMillan as his M Motorsport concern joins the Mercedes-AMG brigade partnered by fast Am driver Roger Lago.

GT Trophy is set to be hotly contested between Porsche and Ferrari headlined by leading Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge driver Marcos Flack for Sonic Motor Racing Services.

Flack’s 991 GT3 Cup Car won at Phillip Island and should be a contender Stephen Coe’s Ferrari 458 GT3.

Mark Griffith will contest the opening round in his Mercedes-AMG GT4 as the sole entry in this class.

MARC Cars also make a return through Milldun Motorsport’s three-car entry featuring the two iteration of the Australian designed and manufactured package.

Owner of MARC Cars Australia Geoff Taunton will race a MARC II leaving Grant ‘Axle’ Donaldson and Darren Currie in a pair of first generation models.

Action for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS at Bathurst begins on Friday with two 60 minute sessions ahead of the battle for the Pirelli Pole Award on Saturday morning across a pair of 20 minute segments.

Twin 60 minute races follow on Saturday and Sunday to round out the competition.

Schedule

Round 1 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Bathurst

Friday, April 7

Practice 1             8:05am                 60 minutes

Practice 2             1:40pm                 60 minutes

Saturday, April 8

Qualifying 1        10:25am               20 minutes

Qualifying 2        10:55am               20 minutes

Race 1                   2:55pm                 60 minutes

Sunday, April 9

Race 2                   9:20am                 60 minutes

Entry list