Tigani Motorsport is back in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS for season 2024 with a three-car, multi-brand and class attack on the series.
Once again the Wollongong-based squad will represent both Mercedes-AMG and Audi in Australia’s premier GT category, with a factory ace spearheading the attack.
Recent Bathurst 6 Hour winner and Mercedes-AMG young driver test participant Jayden Ojeda will lead Tigani Motorsport’s Pro-Am entry alongside Paul Lucchitti as the latter makes the step up from GT Trophy.
Ojeda comes off a strong maiden season in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS last year where he was part of the Harrolds Volante Rosso Racing squad, taking a sole victory in Race 1 at Phillip Island.
Both Am Class entries for Tigani Motorsport arrive at Phillip Island following podium results at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour. The eye-catching Valmont Racing Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2 shared by Sergio Pires and Marcel Zalloua will take in the whole season after finishing runner up at the Mountain.
Third in the Am Class at Mount Panorama were recent Mercedes-AMG converts James and Theo Koundouris for Supabarn Supermarkets. The pair switched brands last year and will undertake their maiden full-season in the Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The operation will begin its campaign at Phillip Island, host of the opening round for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries to be broadcast live on 7mate and 7plus.
Jayden Ojeda
#66 Realta/Tigani Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG GT3
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Ojeda.
“I’ve known Nathan for a long time back when he used to race in karting, so when the opportunity came about to continue in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia it was a no brainer for me. I really enjoyed my year with Volante Rosso and to stay in a Mercedes-AMG is good. It’s a car that I’ve got to drive and experience a lot over the past 12 months, so I’m looking forward to continuing my learning.
“I’ve really enjoyed the international GT scene with Asian Le Mans at the end of last year and the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour alongside Craft Bamboo Racing was an awesome experience for me.
“I really like the way Paul goes about his racing, he’s very measured and calculated, which is good to see from someone fairly fresh in the sport. I believe he’ll develop well throughout the year and get stronger no doubt about it. He’s committed with testing, which is great as between Paul and Nathan, they’ve put together an awesome program to grow the team over the past couple of years. It’s good for Tigani Motorsport to have a Pro-Am entry as well for the full-season.
“For me, if I’m driving a lot I feel like I’m at my best. To come off the back of a Bathurst 6 Hour win, you do a fair few miles and to drive really, really well was a big confidence boost for the rest of the regular calendar year of racing. It puts me in good stead to continue the momentum.
“I think it’s going to be one of the most competitive seasons of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia ever both in the Am and Pro-Am sides of the field. There is plenty of depth, which is good and at the end of the day we want to be tested against the best, so it will be a good year.
Nathan Tigani
Team owner, Tigani Motorsport
“It’s a big step for us to run three cars, but it’s one that we are looking forward to,” said Tigani.
“We’re really excited to have a car entered in Pro-Am for the first time, and to have Jayden on board in the Mercedes AMG will be a good test for us. He has scored pole positions and won races in the class, so it’s an exciting challenge for us to replicate that form.
“Paul Lucchitti ran Trophy class last year, but he has been progressing really well. We feel that this is a strong combination for the 2024 season.
“And it’s unique that we’ll be trying to go for both championships – Pro-Am and Am. The Valmont Audi and the Koundouris brothers in the Mercedes are both genuine chances in that class.
“Stepping up to three cars really means we are also upping the professionalism of the team. Our aim is to become a force against some of the big teams like Triple Eight and Melbourne Performance Centre.
“GT Championship is in a growth period. Arise Racing and Ferrari are here, as well as the other heavyweight teams on board. It's really exciting to be part of it and it will be great to see 20-plus GT3 cars at every event, which is a real testament to the category.”