It was a thrilling end to the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS season at the final Bathurst International where Liam Talbot sealed back-to-back titles and a dream debut season for Ferrari.
Check out the key points from the season finale below.
Liam Talbot’s back-to-back titles
It was a season to remember for Liam Talbot after he secured not only his second Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS Sprint Cup title, but also snagged the Endurance Cup as well. Talbot continues to be the leading Am driver in the country and partnering with Chaz Mostert made for a very impressive combination. Completing the feat in an Audi and Ferrari, Talbot will be gunning for more in 2025.
Ferrari’s dream season
For the first time in 17 years, the ‘Prancing Horse’ secured an Australian national title and it proved a dream result for Arise Racing GT following its formation before the beginning of the season. In 2007, it was Maranello Motorsport and Allan Simonsen in the Ferrari’s first GT3 iteration - the F430. It’s fitting the Maranello firm’s latest and greatest seals the title in 2024. Arise Racing GT secured a win on debut and two further victories to produce a superb maiden campaign.
RAM Motorsport come out on top
Just like Arise Racing GT in Pro-Am, RAM Motorsport proved the class of the field in Am and was well deserving of the overall title. Mike Sheargold and Garth Walden won three race is Am throughout the season, but featured on the front row of the grid outright twice at The Bend and the Endurance Cup event in Sydney. Walden also walked away with the Endurance Cup in Am to complete the clean-sweep.
Audi still the one to beat at the mountain
Despite the Audi R8 being one of the elder statement of the GT3 thoroughbreds, it continues to prove its worth among the latest offerings. Of course, Audi clean-swept the Bathurst finale as Will Brown and Brad Schumacher took the opener, while a stirring drive by Alex Peroni led the second four-ringed victory of the weekend alongside Mark Rosser. The Audi is far from a spent force.
International guests make Bathurst debut
At the Bathurst International, Car Collection Motorsport provided an overseas aspect to the event in its Porsche 911 GT3-R for Alex Fontana and ‘Hash’. Exploring the possibility of racing in a future Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, the team walked away with a couple of results outside the top 10, but with plenty of experience.