Stephane Ratel Global CEO and Founder of SRO Motorsports which operates GT Racing across Europe, Asia and the USA has confirmed the appointment of Ben McMellan to the inaugural role of CEO - SRO Motorsports Australia. SRO Motorsports Australia will oversee the operations of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia and GT4 in Australia.
Previously Ben has held roles including Head of Category Operations for ARG which included global categories Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia, TCR Australia along with other domestic categories. He has also worked with the globally aligned Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series.
Stephane Ratel – Founder and Global CEO of SRO Motorsports stated; “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ben to lead our dedicated Australian business. Ben is well known to both our SRO global team and Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia customers. He has been instrumental in assisting with the establishment of our Australian business. He has demonstrated his commitment and capability and built strong relationships with the broader team. We look forward to seeing GT racing continuing to grow in Australia under his leadership.”
SRO has also assembled a high quality experienced locally based team to deliver a level of compliance and professionalism that aligns with its current global standards.
Ben McMellan – CEO SRO Motorsports Australia stated; “I thank Stephane for the opportunity, and I look forward to working with the team both here in Australia and SRO more broadly to deliver a quality platform for our teams, drivers, and sponsors. We have some very exciting new additions as part of the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Championship to be announced”.
The following additional appointments/structures will also form part of the SRO Motorsports Australia operations.
Abi Hay – Head of Sporting & Business Development – Abi will move to Australia from SRO Europe and brings with her a wealth of SRO experience and knowledge with existing and previous roles including Series Manager of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli, Deputy Race Director Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, GT4 Europe, Fanatec GT2 European Series & Assistant Sporting Director Fanatec GT2 European Series.
Charise Bristow – Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Championship Manager – Charise has worked with Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia in 2023 as the Championship Manager and will continue with this role in 2024.
Network R – Communications and content – Network R, owned by experienced motorsport media professional Grant Rowley, will undertake the media, communications and content duties for SRO Motorsports Australia. Network R was part of the original team that brought the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS into the local market, and will retake the reins of its public relations and digital outputs.
In addition, and in conjunction with Motorsport Australia, SRO Motorsports Australia has secured a high quality team of officials to support their trackside operations with announcements to follow shortly.
Previously Ben has held roles including Head of Category Operations for ARG which included global categories Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia, TCR Australia along with other domestic categories. He has also worked with the globally aligned Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series.
Stephane Ratel – Founder and Global CEO of SRO Motorsports stated; “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ben to lead our dedicated Australian business. Ben is well known to both our SRO global team and Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia customers. He has been instrumental in assisting with the establishment of our Australian business. He has demonstrated his commitment and capability and built strong relationships with the broader team. We look forward to seeing GT racing continuing to grow in Australia under his leadership.”
SRO has also assembled a high quality experienced locally based team to deliver a level of compliance and professionalism that aligns with its current global standards.
Ben McMellan – CEO SRO Motorsports Australia stated; “I thank Stephane for the opportunity, and I look forward to working with the team both here in Australia and SRO more broadly to deliver a quality platform for our teams, drivers, and sponsors. We have some very exciting new additions as part of the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Championship to be announced”.
The following additional appointments/structures will also form part of the SRO Motorsports Australia operations.
Abi Hay – Head of Sporting & Business Development – Abi will move to Australia from SRO Europe and brings with her a wealth of SRO experience and knowledge with existing and previous roles including Series Manager of the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli, Deputy Race Director Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe, GT4 Europe, Fanatec GT2 European Series & Assistant Sporting Director Fanatec GT2 European Series.
Charise Bristow – Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Championship Manager – Charise has worked with Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia in 2023 as the Championship Manager and will continue with this role in 2024.
Network R – Communications and content – Network R, owned by experienced motorsport media professional Grant Rowley, will undertake the media, communications and content duties for SRO Motorsports Australia. Network R was part of the original team that brought the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS into the local market, and will retake the reins of its public relations and digital outputs.
In addition, and in conjunction with Motorsport Australia, SRO Motorsports Australia has secured a high quality team of officials to support their trackside operations with announcements to follow shortly.
The schedule of events for the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS can be seen below. All rounds will be a feature category of the Shannons SpeedSeries.
2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia calendar
Round 1: Bathurst 12 Hour – February 16-18 (Fanatec Cup)
Round 2: Phillip Island – April 12-14 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 3: Shell V-Power Motorsport Park May 31 – June 2 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 4: Queensland Raceway – August 2-4 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 5: TBC – September 6-8 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 6: Sydney Motorsport Park – October 18-20 (Endurance Cup, length of race TBA)
Round 7: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International – November 8-10 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 1: Bathurst 12 Hour – February 16-18 (Fanatec Cup)
Round 2: Phillip Island – April 12-14 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 3: Shell V-Power Motorsport Park May 31 – June 2 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 4: Queensland Raceway – August 2-4 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 5: TBC – September 6-8 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)
Round 6: Sydney Motorsport Park – October 18-20 (Endurance Cup, length of race TBA)
Round 7: Supercheap Auto Bathurst International – November 8-10 (Sprint, 2 x 60 min)