Arise Racing GT has conducted its first shakedown tests of its Ferrari 296 GT3 cars that will compete in the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS.
In the hands of drivers Jaxon Evans, Liam Talbot and Elliott Schutte, the brand-new Maranello machines completed over 100 laps of Wanneroo (Carco.com.au Raceway) near Perth over two days.
The team’s fourth driver, Supercars star Chaz Mostert, will get his first drive of the Ferrari in another upcoming test at Wanneroo soon.
After their final test at Wanneroo, Arise Racing will bring its two Ferraris to the east coast for a test at Phillip Island, prior to the opening round of GT World Challenge Australia at the Island circuit on April 12-14.
Team manager Jordan Oon said that the shakedown days went flawlessly as the West Australian team got their heads around their new race machines.
“They were really good days,” said Oon.
"The cars are complex in the systems and the data you can get. It was more about us learning them and utilising all of what they have to offer. It was also a chance to teach the drivers what they need to be looking for and how to analyse all of the data off track."
Bringing the Ferrari GT3s to Australia has been a project more than a year in the making, and Oon said that it was a proud moment to finally see the Italian-built racers grace the circuit.
“It was a little surreal watching them roll out,” he said.
“They kind of look a little out of place at Wanneroo. It’s not exactly a traditional track for sports cars. but the team was focused on what we had to do.
“We didn’t take much time to step back to soak it in, but it was good to get them on track and bank miles so we know what we are working with."
While Mostert has to wait to get his first laps in the Ferrari soon, Oon said that feedback from his three drivers was vital.
“Feedback from the drivers has been really positive,” he said.
“They’ve all said that it’s a completely refined package from other GT3 cars that they have driven in the past.”
The opening round of the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS at Phillip Island will be held as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on April 12-14.