Ferrari will return to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS in 2024 with confirmation of a new two-car factory-supported team.
A joint-venture between the Lance East group, owned by gaming entrepreneur and motoring enthusiast Laurence Escalante, and Arise Racing, will soon take delivery of two brand-new Ferrari 296 GT3 cars ahead of the new SRO Australia managed Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS.
It will be the first time in nearly a decade that Ferrari will be seen in Australian GT racing with a proper customer racing program.
As part of a broader partnership with revered Italian marque, the new West Australian-based team will facilitate the sale of Ferrari GT race cars to customers Australia-wide, and Arise Racing GT is in the process of finalising an exclusive distribution agreement to supply Ferrari GT parts locally.
The Ferrari 296 GT3 is the latest-specification GT race car, which has already proven to be an instant match for the all-conquering likes of Mercedes-AMG, Audi and Porsche overseas.
Launched at the 2022 Crowdstrike 24 Hours of Spa, the Ferrari 296 GT3 has proven a success during its first complete season of competition last year.
A major advancement compared to its predecessor, the 488, which won the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour in the hands of Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Toni Vilander for Maranello Motorsport. The 296 uses lessons learnt from Maranello’s Formula 1 program to ensure a high-class GT3 entry.
Using the same three-litre, twin-turbocharged 120-degree vee angle engine as the road-going 296 GTB, though the powerplant has been tilted up front to rear by two degrees ensuring improved aerodynamic efficiency.
A major change for the 296 compared to its predecessors is that it is the first GT3 car to be designed exclusively in-house by Ferrari Attivita Sportive GT and assembled by experienced French constructor Oreca. Previously, Michelotto handled both processes for the previous three generations of Ferrari GT3s.
It proved an impressive maiden season for the 296 GT3 in 2023 as it achieved its first major victory at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, plus wins across Europe and the United States.
Arise Racing GT’s entry will be the first for a current generation Ferrari in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS since the very first round at Phillip Island in 2021 where Maranello Motorsport a 488. Various older 458 GT3s have been a feature at various rounds since.
Arise Racing will be Western Australia’s only team in the GT championship and is regarded as a leading motorsports services provider, specialising in racing teams, driver development and events. The experienced team runs the Radical state-based series, co-manages the national Radical Cup Australia category, and supports Radical cars for customers all across the country.
All races of the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS will be aired on 7plus, including some free-to-air races on Seven’s primary channels.
QUOTES
Jordan Oon
Team Manager, Arise Racing GT
“We’re very excited at Arise Racing GT for this year and beyond. There’s a lot of unknowns, but we are in the process of putting the drivers and teams together ahead of what will be a great season,” said Oon.
“With SRO coming back into the category, including new management, we are pumped to be part of seeing the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS grow in 2024.
“We were invited to see the new Ferrari 296 GT3 being shaken down in Fiorano (Italy), so we got a crash course to see what they are and what the cars are about. They are very impressive, and from what we’ve seen, their design and systems are a match for any GT3 car in the world.
“It’s nice that we have been able to add a new flavour to the category. Ferrari has a huge following globally, and the release of the new car has been huge. They won the Nurburgring 24 Hour, Laurences’ relationship with Ferrari through F1 is very strong, so it was a no brainer to go down this route.
“Obviously we want to be at the pointy end, but until we get through the first round, we aren’t going to know. We are really keen to see the category grow. We want to see more internationals and see the Australian championship be recognised globally. The class has had its ups and downs over the years, but it’s clearly on the way up.
“We are gearing up for the future. We don’t want to be here for one or two years. We see this as a long term program and we want to make it sustainable.”
Laurence Escalante
Owner, Lance East
“Having admired GT racing from afar, it’s a real thrill and unique opportunity to be launching a new team out of my home base of Perth racing Ferraris,” said Escalante.
“Just like in business, motor racing – and all elite sports for that matter – is highly competitive, performance-driven and requires teamwork, which is a super exciting challenge to be a part of with this team. I can’t wait to see what the team and our partners can achieve.”
Ferrari set to return to Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS in 2024
