Packed Australian GT field ready for Sandown

A packed 29-car field will tackle Sandown Park Raceway this weekend for Round 3 of the 2018 CAMS Australian GT Championship.

The impressive field boasts twelve of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers, with 32 drivers confirmed across three classes as the championship battles in all Australian GT competitions reaches fever pitch.

The scene of the 2017 Australian GT Championship decider, lead protagonists Liam Talbot (Hot Wheels Car Care Products Porsche 911 GT3-R) and Geoff Emery (Valvoline Audi R8 LMS GT3) return.

Talbot lies a strong second in the standings after the opening two rounds, closely followed by Peter Hackett (Eggleston Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3) and Fraser Ross (Total/Opti-Coat/Logitech McLaren 650S GT3).

A race winner at Sandown in 2017, Tony Quinn returns with the Mariani Beef Jerky McLaren 650S GT3.

Following a breakthrough podium at The Bend Motorsport Park last month, Steve Richards (BMW Team SRM M6 GT3) will be joined by Ricky Capo, who last raced in the Australian GT Championship in 2016.

Capo has since been competing in the European Le Mans Series, where he claimed victory at Monza in 2017.

Jaie Robson has switched cars heading into the third round of the series, and will this weekend pilot an Audi R8 LMS for the Aussie Driver Search squad.

The rapid race winner had driven a Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the opening two rounds of the season.

Scott Taylor (Scott Taylor Motorsport) and Mark Griffith (Hog’s Breath Cafe/Griffith Corporation) will ensure the three-pointed star is will represented, with a total of three Mercedes-AMGs in the field.

Also in Audis will be Ash Samadi (Ah Apartments), and Marc Cini (Hallmarc Constructions), and Tony Bates (KFC/Ctech Laser/Moveitnet/B&B), making for a total of five current-spec R8 LMS GT3s on the grid.

Making a return to Australian GT Championship competition is accomplished racer Dean Koutsoumidis, who will partner the rapid Glen Wood in the Exedra/M Motorsport Lamborghini R-EX.

Veteran racer Jim Manolios will pilot another Lamborghini, the Haemokinesis/Trofeo Estate/FreeM Huracan GT3.

Ferrari is also represented in the Championship class, with Peter Edwards reunited with the iconic Maranello Motorsport Ferrari 458 GT3.

Another strong five car field makes up the GT4 Class, with Jeremy Gray (JMG/Bilstein Aston Martin Vantage GT4) set to be pushed hard by entries from KTM, Ginetta, and the debut of the Audi R8 LMS GT4.

Victor Zagame will steer the MPD Steak Kitchen Audi in what will also be his first appearance in Australian GT competition since Winton 2010.

At the wheel of the two M Motorsport prepared KTM X-Bow GT4s are David Crampton and Trent Harrison (Vantage Freight), while Vince Tresoriero (Forum Group) will make his debut in the category in the sister car.

Complementing the field on track will be nine Trophy Class entries as they battle it out in Round 2 of the CAMS Australian GT Trophy Series.

The competitive class boasts five different manufacturers including Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Audi, and Chevrolet.

The bumper Australian GT field will tackle three 40-minute races across both days of the action-packed weekend, with practice on Friday afternoon before Saturday’s two qualifying sessions to determine the grid for Race 1.

All Sunday’s action will be available via a free live stream on the Australian GT website, with a post-produced highlights show set to follow on SBS Speedweek.

Fans will also receive the usual behind the scenes insight via the Australian GT social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, and are encouraged to get involved using the hashtag #AustralianGT

Australian GT Championship: Round 3 Schedule

Friday, May 11
14:25 – Practice (40mins)
Saturday, May 12
11:50 – Qualifying 1 (20mins)
12:20 – Qualifying 2 (20mins)
16:10 – Race 1 (40mins)
Sunday, May 13
10:40 – Race 2 (40mins)
15:10 – Race 3 (40mins) 

Australian GT Championship: Round 3 Entry List