Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS racing under lights is fantastic and as an Endurance Cup event it was a great spectacle from the action on-track to the grid walk even before the event. Here are some of the discussion points from Sydney.
Tigani Motorsport’s strategy masterclass
Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti have been threatening to win a race all season, so to win the second Endurance Cup race of the season leaves the team heading to Mount Panorama with great momentum. Although it was a far from straight forward victory, the Tigani Motorsport also needs to be congratulated for its strategy masterstroke.
Ferrari’s first endurance foray in Australia
It proved a successful foray for Arise Racing GT in its maiden Endurance Cup race with the Ferrari 296 GT3 after missing Bathurst. Chaz Mostert and Liam Talbot came within seconds of victory in the lead entry, while Jaxon Evans was close to stepping on the final step of the podium in the second entry shared by Elliott Schutte. The GT3 offerings now are just ready to hit the track now no matter the development phase for any format and this just proves it.
The Endurance Cup titles are decided
Liam Talbot and Garth Walden secured the two titles on offer after contesting the two rounds. The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS Endurance Cup consisted off two rounds for registered drivers at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour and of course Sydney. Talbot scored the maximum of 25-points in the Pro-Am Endurance Cup at Bathurst after scoring third outright before finish second in Sydney to seal the title. Walden was the best registered finisher in Pro-Am Class at Bathurst, while won the Am Class in Sydney to take full points in the title.
Schumacher’s Endurance Cup chances dashed
Brad Schumacher was the only real challenger to Liam Talbot in the Endurance Cup title, but an incident in Superpole ensured the end of the weekend for the Bathurst local and Will Brown. Schumacher was second to Talbot after the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour, but Schumacher was a victim at Turn 6 and hit the wall resulting in a damaged chassis. The duo will be back at Bathurst aiming to make amends and win the Sprint Cup.
The remarkable run of individual winners continues
Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti became the seventh race winners in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS competition by winning in Sydney. It showcases how open the season has been so far this season as the battle between Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes-AMG and now Aston Martin will heat up for the season finale at the Bathurst International on November 8-10.