In 2019, there was one driver who was a cut above the GT field, with Geoff Emery ending the year as a dual-champion in the one season. The Audi driver managed to secure the Endurance Championship alongside Garth Tander, and the outright GT Championship.
After a dominant year behind the wheel, Emery spoke with the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships about what it’s like to win both titles.
Geoff, an Endurance Championship and a third consecutive GT title.
2019 was a good year for you, wasn’t it?
GE: Yes, it really was. It’s a fantastic feeling to have won three championships in a row now, especially for Audi Sport Customer Racing. The celebrations were pretty mild, but it was really good to put it together for those guys.
I’m also happy Garth Tander was able to be part of it as well. He didn’t really get to enjoy the titles in the two previous years, but because we took out the Endurance Championship win as well, he got to celebrate this year too.
Where does 2019’s title stack up as opposed to the previous two?
GE: The first two titles were probably a bit more exciting. In 2017, we won it on the last lap of the last race and it was the same in 2018, which was an incredible way to finish the season.
Last year, the championship was effectively won towards the middle and it kind of didn’t have that exciting end to it. But it was a quite nice to have to win a different way and not chase after the title all year.
Were they any particular highlights?
GE: When we won the Phillip Island round, it gave us a good run to build on. Then we backed it up with a P2 at The Bend, which really set us up for the Championship. From that moment onwards, it was just a matter of completing races. We didn’t have to win races after that round, we just had to do the right stuff, which we did each round.
What about lowlights?
GE: It was a pretty cruisy year to be honest. We struggled a little bit during the Gold Coast round and in turn, it was probably our worst result for the year. We struggled with car speed there. Apart from that, the team did an awesome job as per usual. The car is reliable and finishing races is what wins you championships.
Anyone you would like to thank?
GE: Definitely have to thank Steve McLaughlin who owns the car. Also Valvoline, Audi Sport Customer Racing and Melbourne Performance Centre. They are the people who put it all together.
Have you thought about plans for 2020 yet?
GE: I don’t know at this point. We are a long way from doing deals. I have the Bathurst 12 Hour coming up, so I am excited to tick that box first. I will be racing alongside Max Twigg, Tony Bates and Dylan O’Keefe in the AM class. As for the rest of the year, it looks like I’ll be having a crack at number four at this point. I’m happy with Audi Sport and they are happy with me. We work well together so I feel it will be business as usual in 2020.
