Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin headline a 14-car grid as Australia’s top GT series returns to a fan-favourite circuit.
Australia’s leading GT3 racing series is back on track this weekend, with the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS returning from its midseason break for Round 4 at Sandown International Raceway (25 – 27 July).
The event marks the championship’s first visit to Sandown since 2022. Located just outside Melbourne, Sandown is one of Australia’s most historic permanent circuits — a high-speed layout with long straights and tight braking zones that reward commitment and control, making it a fan-favourite for GT racing.
This round is part of the Shannons SpeedSeries, a multi-category event celebrating high-performance motorsport across the weekend.
New Names, Familiar Machines
A total of 14 GT3 cars will line up, with a mix of experienced hands, rising talents, and a variety of GT machinery from Audi, Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin.
One of the headline additions is the return of series veteran Marc Cini, who will share an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II with former Supercars champion Lee Holdsworth. While the duo have competed together at major endurance events like the Bathurst 12 Hour, this weekend marks Holdsworth’s debut in the sprint-based GT World Challenge Australia format.
They’ll join a strong Audi presence led by Melbourne Performance Centre, the team fielding several R8 GT3s including title contenders Brad Schumacher and Broc Feeney, and Am class leader Renee Gracie, who has shown front-running pace in the opening rounds.
Tribute to Tim Miles
Although the team’s #7 Audi will not compete, it will still be present in the Sandown paddock in tribute to driver Tim Miles, who passed away earlier this month. A memorial will be held during the weekend, honouring the well-respected competitor’s contribution to the series.
Ferrari Takes the Fight to Audi
Leading the overall standings heading into Sandown is the Ferrari 296 GT3 of Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte, run by the Lance East Racing Team. The pair have already claimed three wins this season and will be hoping to extend their advantage at a track that rewards top-end speed and braking stability.
They’re joined by a second Ferrari 296 from Arise Racing GT, where Steve Wyatt is reunited with Jordan Love, who returns after missing the previous round in Queensland.
Pro-Am Class: Mercedes-AMG and Aston Martin in the Mix
In the Pro-Am division, where professional and amateur drivers share driving duties, several key entries are eyeing a strong result at Sandown.
Tigani Motorsport fields two Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evos, one for Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti, the other for George King and Sergio Pires.
Meanwhile, Volante Rosso Motorsport brings back its Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3, with Jamie Day rejoining Liam Talbot following a recent driver change.
Growing Competition in the Am Class
The Amateur class welcomes its strongest grid since the Sydney round earlier this year, with four cars set to compete. Benjamin Schoots and Shane Woodman return in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, joining the Koundouris brothers (James and Theo) and 111 Racing’s Darren Currie and Grant Donaldson, all also driving Mercedes-AMG GT3s.
Leading the charge is Renee Gracie, who will be aiming to secure another class win in her Audi and continue her championship momentum.
When and Where to Watch
The race weekend follows a familiar format:
- Friday features two practice and one pre-qualifying session.
- Saturday includes two short qualifying sessions and the first 1-hour race starting at 3:05pm.
- Sunday wraps up the weekend with a fan grid walk at 1:20pm and Race 2 starting at 2:05pm.
Australian fans can watch all of Saturday and Sunday’s action live and free on 7plus, while international viewers can stream the sessions via the GT World YouTube channel, part of the SRO’s global GT racing platform.
With championship battles heating up, emotional tributes on the cards, and a classic venue in play, Sandown sets the stage for what should be a dramatic and engaging return to racing for GT World Challenge Australia.
