Fight for Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia supremacy continues at The Bend

The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS returns to The Bend for the first time since 2022 for Round 2 as another top quality field is set to take the grid.

Supercars stars like Chaz Mostert, Will Brown and Jaxon Evans are back for more GT racing, while Renee Gracie will compete in her first race event since her bombshell documentary hit the small screen.

The Pro-Am class fight is led by Ferrari, but Audi and Mercedes-AMG enjoyed times in the sun during the opening round at Phillip Island.

Ferrari and Audi left Phillip Island with a win apiece, but The Bend's West circuit layout is sure to open up the possibilities for all competitors.

Reigning Fanatec GT Australia series winner Liam Talbot, alongside Mostert, made the perfect start to his tilt for back-to-back titles by winning Race 1 and holds a two-point advantage in the lead Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3. The second Ferrari displayed strong pace in the hands of Elliott Schutte and Jaxon Evans, which can’t be discounted.

Second in the standings is the New Zealand pairing of Tim Miles and Brandon Leitch after snatching a thrilling win in Race 2 at Phillip Island driving the Dayle ITM/Team MPC Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2. Main competition came from team-mates Brad Schumacher and Will Brown for Team MPC, and this is expected to continue at The Bend.

The Realta/Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 outperformed the Triple Eight Race Engineering example by scoring second in Race 2 at Phillip Island. Jayden Ojeda continued his impressive performances in GT racing, matched by the rapid improvement of Paul Lucchitti. Peter Hackett and Declan Fraser left the Island disappointed, but will target redemption at The Bend, a circuit Triple Eight tasted success at when the category last visited.

Also to be considered is the Team BRM Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo2 of Mark Rosser and Alex Peroni. The Bend is Rosser’s home turf and testing miles for Peroni place this team as a dark horse in the field. The Audi attack is bolstered by the OnlyFans entry of Renee Gracie and Paul Stokell.

Three manufacturers grow to four at The Bend as Adrian Deitz returns to the grid in his one-meeting old Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2. Making a successful debut at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour in February when it won the Silver Class, Deitz will be joined by 2022 TCR Australia series winner Tony D’Alberto.

Another new entry comes out of the Audi Sport Customer Racing Australia stable as New Zealander Steve Brooks makes his debut at The Bend in an R8 LMS GT3 Evo2, partnered by Carrera Cup specialist Nick McBride.

Just one-point separates the battle in Am Cup as brothers James and Theo Koundouris driving the Supabarn Supermarkets/Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 hold the ascendency from RAM Motorsport’s Michael Sheargold and Garth Walden.

Valmont Racing’s Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires are just four points in arrears, while Ash Samadi enters the weekend as a last start winner in the Am Class. Marc Cini completes the close standings in Am Class as the top five contenders are all covered by six-points.

Returning to the field following an incident at Phillip Island is the fully-repaired Black Wolf Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 led by Shane Woodman and Ben Schoots.

The Bend hosts Round 2 of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on May 31-June 2.

All races can be viewed live and free on the screens of Seven (7mate and streamed on 7plus). International viewers, including New Zealanders, can watch via the GT World YouTube channel.

Round 2 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, The Bend entry list