Stacked Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS field for Adelaide finale

The second season of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS will conclude on the streets of Adelaide this weekend, with a three-way title fight set to be decided.

Reigning series champion Yasser Shahin currently leads the standings by 11 points as factory Audi Sport driver Christopher Mies bolsters his already strong title defence.

Prince Jefri Ibrahim continues his rapid development in the Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes AMG GT3 and is the lead challenger to Shahin. He also will have a new co-driver in Nick Foster. This won’t be the first time the duo will combine as they regularly do so in Fanatec GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS, and have already tasted success in the Pro-Am Asian class.

Backing up Ibrahim’s challenge is brother Prince Abu Bakar Ibrahim. He will be partnered by Jamie Whincup – the most-winningest driver in Supercars in Adelaide – driving the second Triple Eight Race Engineering Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The third of the title contenders is Shannons Insurance driver Liam Talbot, who will call on his Adelaide experience to close the 14 point gap to Shahin. He will again share the driving duties with experienced racer Fraser Ross.

Tony Bates makes his return in the C-Tech Laser Audi and just like stablemate Shahin, will have a factory Audi Sport ace and previous multiple ADAC GT Masters champion Kelvin van der Linde in his corner. The South African took the last pole in Adelaide in a national GT category back in 2017.

RAM Motorsport will be hoping to build on a strong Bathurst performance in its Mercedes-AMG GT3, shared by regular drivers Mike Sheargold and Garth Walden alongside the similar entry for Harrolds Volante Rosso Racing’s Ross Poulakis.

An exciting addition to the field is the latest specification Bentley Continental GT3 to be shared by former GT Trophy combatants Mike Bailey and Brett Hobson.

The battle for Am Class is too close to being decided as KFC pairing Gary Higgon and Paul Stokell aim to finish a stellar year with victory, holding a formidable 47 point advantage from team-mate Matt Stoupas.

James and Theo Koundouris, Marc Cini and the returning Ash Samadi also provide competition in Audis.

GT Trophy is set to be closely contested as reigning class winner Brad Schumacher aims to defend his title in the Valmont Racing Audi he’ll share with Sergio Pires. Just seven points in arrears of Schumacher is Launch Racing’s Michael Kokkinos in a similar Audi, while Scott Taylor returns in his Porsche 997 GT3R to make it a three-way fight for class victory.

In addition to entering a newer Bentley for himself, Bailey’s team will be the first globally to race both specifications of the new Continental GT3 together as Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Am Matt Belford will take the wheel of the first generation model raced at Phillip Island’s opening round.

Swapping the son for the father, GT4 Class leader Mark Griffith will partner with former Bathurst 1000 winner Paul Morris as he aims to defeat the similar Mercedes-AMG GT4 spearheaded by Sam Brabham, with Chris Batzios joining once again.

Two entries contesting GTC will be recently crowned Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge winner Tom Sargent and category Am Class frontrunner Sam Shahin to add further spice to the field.

The final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS in Adelaide will contest three 40 minute races across the weekend.

Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Round 5 Adelaide entry list