The Geoff Emery/Maximilian Hofer Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 has topped this morning’s opening practice session for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS at Phillip Island.
Hofer set a 1m 29.5444s to set the pace in the first half of the session, a marker that was never topped over the balance of the 40-minute session.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Jamec Racing team, with Emery having a lose at the Southern Loop and bringing out a red flag for recovery crews to retrieve the stricken Audi from the gravel.
Just behind the pace-setting Emery/Hofer Audi was the similar car of Liam Talbot, who welcomes back long-time co-driver Fraser Ross this weekend.
Glen Wood was an impressive third following a quick late lap, finishing as the top Mercedes in the AMG GT3 he’ll share with Justin McMillan.
Bathurst 6 Hour winner Jayden Ojeda was fourth in the Harrolds Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 to be co-driven by Ross Poulakis.
And rounding out the top five was the Grove Racing Porsche 911 GT3R of Fanatec GT World Challenge stalwarts Brenton and Stephen Grove, who make a welcome return to the grid this weekend.
GT3 Am was topped by the Audi R8 LMS Evo 2 of Brad Schumacher, who finished eighth outright for the session with a 1m 30.5251s.
In GT3 Trophy, Renee Gracie topped the timesheets in her Audi R8 LMS Ultra, a 1m 33.9817s enough for eighteenth outright.
And Invitational Class was led by Darren Currie’s MARC II Mustang in nineteenth outright with a 1m 34.8582s.
Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS is next on track at 2:00PM for Practice Two at Phillip Island.