The 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS gets back underway this weekend, with the second round taking place at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, Australia.
Kiwi drivers Brendon Leitch and Tim Miles will compete in a Melbourne Performance Centre-prepared Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo 2.
“I’m excited,” said Leitch. I think that we have the speed, but until we get underway, we will be a bit unsure of how quick we are.”
Leitch has returned to base in Australia after several seasons competing throughout Europe and Asia and brings plenty of experience in both sprint and endurance GT and GT3 racing to the team. This includes winning the 2023 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe title.
It’s the first time Leitch has competed at Phillip Island; however, the team goes into the weekend having tested at the track last week.
“It’s a cool track,” commented Leitch. It is super quick and can be quite daunting, so it is good to get confidence early. The test went really well, and we had a lot of fun. In fact, it is probably the most laps I have done in a GT3 car in one stint.”
Tim Miles brings plenty of GT3 experience, having previously competed in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia, the Porsche Carrera Cup, and the Australian GT Series.
Leitch and Miles recently competed with Christina Orr-West at the 2023 Highlands 6-Hour race.
“Tim is really quick out of the gate,” said Leitch. He’s fantastic to work with and really comfortable in the car. There are some pretty strong lineups on the grid this weekend, including a couple of Supercar drivers and some quick young fellows, so it is going to be quite competitive.”
The round is part of the Shannons Speed Series and comprises two qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, the first of two races in the afternoon, and the second one on Sunday afternoon.