Tigani Motorsport has confirmed it will run a three-car operation in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS this season.
The New South Wales-based team will represent both Mercedes and Audi in the series, which begins as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries’ Race Phillip Island, and will have entries across both the Pro-Am and Am Classes.
Purchase tickets to Race Phillip Island via motrosporttickets.com.au
Leading the team’s charge will be two-time Bathurst 6 Hour winner Jayden Ojeda, who will link up with Paul Lucchitti in one of the team’s two Mercedes as its only Pro-Am class entry.
Ojeda enters the season with a solid debut season in 2023, which included a victory for the Harrolds Volante Rosso outfit at Phillip Island, while Lucchitti makes the step up from GT Trophy.
I’m looking forward to furthering my GT development here in Australia with Paul Lucchitti and Tigani Motorsport.” Ojeda said.
“I’ve really enjoyed where GT racing has taken me so far, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together as a team throughout the year.
“Paul is seriously committed to his driving and all aspects of improving his driving, which makes working with him such an enjoyable experience.
“I’ve had a lot of experience as of late in a Mercedes GT3 so I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learned into the program and ensure we put our best foot forward.”
In addition to the Ojeda/Lucchitti Pro-Am entry, Tigani Motorsport’s two AM class entries will be made up of the Sergio Pires/Marcel Valloua Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2, and the Supabarn Supermarkets backed Mercedes-AMG GT3 of James and Theo Koundouris.
Both entries are coming off impressive podiums at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year, and Tigani Motorsport owner, Nathan Tigani was excited for the challenge.
“It’s a big step for us to run three cars, but it’s one that we are looking forward to,” Tigani said.
“We’re really excited to have a car entered in Pro-Am for the first time, and to have Jayden on board in the Mercedes AMG will be a good test for us. He has scored pole positions and won races in the class, so it’s an exciting challenge for us to replicate that form.
“Paul Lucchitti ran Trophy class last year, but he has been progressing really well. We feel that this is a strong combination for the 2024 season.
“And it’s unique that we’ll be trying to go for both championships – Pro-Am and Am. The Valmont Audi and the Koundouris brothers in the Mercedes are both genuine chances in that class.
“Stepping up to three cars really means we are also upping the professionalism of the team. Our aim is to become a force against some of the big teams like Triple Eight and Melbourne Performance Centre.
“GT Championship is in a growth period. Arise Racing and Ferrari are here, as well as the other heavyweight teams on board. It’s really exciting to be part of it and it will be great to see 20-plus GT3 cars at every event, which is a real testament to the category.”
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.
