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Whincup to debut in GT Endurance opener

Virgin Australian Supercars multiple Championship winner Jamie Whincup will make his maiden CAMS Australian GT Championship appearance next month after signing on with Yasser Shahin.

The seven-time Supercars champion will partner up with Shahin for the first time in his career as part of the CAMS Australian Endurance Championship and will be behind the wheel of Shahin’s #777 Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the championship’s season opener.
It’s not the first time Whincup will be in a Mercedes AMG GT3 with the Victorian driving one alongside Craig Lowndes and Shane van Gisbergen in this year’s Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour through Scott Taylor Motorsport, as well as steering a GT3 to second place in last year’s 12 Hour.
Last year’s 12 Hour race was also the last time Shahin drove in his Mercedes, although the South Australian is enjoying a solid 2019 with two podiums in the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup and a well-deserved victory recently in China.
With Whincup expected to be the biggest name competing at Phillip Island next month, Shahin was excited to secure the 2017 Supercars champion for the endurance round.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into the Australian GT action,” Shahin said.

“I love the endurance format and driving alongside and learning from a world class driver like Jamie can only help my development as a driver.”
“The format gives me a chance to learn more from the Pro drivers, something which I think has helped me fast-track my ability to extract more out of the car.
“I’ve known Jamie for a while, and obviously am aware of his ability behind the wheel, so I’m really looking forward to sharing the drive and taking the fight to the leading teams.”
Following two thrilling sprint rounds at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix and Barbagallo Raceway, the championship will now host three consecutive endurance rounds as part of the Shannons Nationals.
The next round of the Championship takes places at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 6-9 June.