The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS will welcome an international entry in 2024, with New Zealand duo Tim Miles and Brendon Leitch locked in for the season.
Behind the wheel of a Melbourne Performance Centre-prepared Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2, Miles and Leitch bring plenty of experience to the series, which begins at the Shannons SpeedSeries’ Race Phillip Island next month.
Purchase tickets to Race Phillip Island via motorsporttickets.com.au
A familiar face to Australian GT, the Gold Coast-based Miles has featured at a number of GT World Challenge rounds, including at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International in 2022, while also boasting a vast amount of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia within the Pro-Am Class.
“The GT calendar really appealed to me. Thursday testing is great, and the cars are a heap of fun to drive with all the downforce and electronic aids that give you confidence,” Miles said.
“I haven’t been to Phillip Island for a number of years, same with Sydney Motorsport Park, so for me, going back to those places is really appealing.
“The calendar is perfect for GT race cars – Tailem Bend, Phillip Island and Bathurst immensely suit the GT cars.
“Having a young Kiwi bloke that I’ve known for many years is going to be fun too. Brendon is blinding fast and trying to forge a career in Europe and has a number of races over there but not enough to constitute a year.
“I drove with him in Highlands 6 Hour and I was really impressed. I was keen to partner with him, help him get into the Australian scene and hopefully do a good job of showcasing himself close to home.”
As for Leitch, the 28-year-old may not hold the same amount of Australian experience as Miles, but has enjoyed an extensive international GT career, which includes a recent victory in the Asian Le Mans Series.
Leitch has also won races in Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo Europe Series and later finished third in the world final, and will move to Sydney for the season.
“I’m really excited to be driving with Tim and MPC. It’s my first time racing in Australia, so I’m looking forward to racing in GT World Challenge and having some fun,” Leitch said.
“Coming over to Australia gives me the chance to tick off some bucket list race tracks and for the first round to be at Phillip Island, it’s really cool.
“I’ve done a lot of simulator laps at Phillip Island. It’s an amazing track. I’ve been to the track before, but I was only four years old, so racing there will be a whole new challenge.
“The GT World Challenge field looks competitive. There is some strong competition there. But having Tim is a great bonus. He has lots of experience and is one of the best Am drivers going around. I think we have a really good shot at winning, but It all needs to come together. I’m really excited for the season and I can’t wait for it to get underway.”
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS will begin its 2024 season at Race Phillip Island and will join the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Trico Trans Am, Monochrome GT4 Australia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia and the Workhorse Radical Cup Australia at the Shannons SpeedSeries event.
The category will have two one-hour races over the course of its opening weekend, with Sunday’s race to be preceded by a free grid walk for fans.
Buy tickets for Race Phillip Island.
Race Phillip Island takes place at the famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 12-14 April.
