GT World Challenge Australia News Notebook
Brad Schumacher secures Supercars Aces
Brad Schumacher’s bid of being the first driver in GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS history to win all available classes has received a major boost with the New South Welshman signing Supercars stars Will Brown and Broc Feeney for the season.
Running under the Audi Sport Customer Racing Team MPC banner, the trio will be behind the wheel of Schumacher’s personal Audi R8 LMS EVO II for the full season, with Brown and Feeney to share co-driving duties across the year by featuring at three events each.
A highly experienced campaigner in Australian GT racing, Schumacher has enjoyed plenty of success throughout his time in the category, having already won the Trophy Class and Am cups in previous years.
He and Brown teamed up last year and came ever so close to securing the Pro-Am title in an entertaining title fight, but fell just short by the end of the final round at Mount Panorama.
Throughout the season, the duo picked up three wins and another podium on their way to finish second overall and were the highest placed Audi for the season.
Neither Brown or Feeney need any introduction to race fans around the country, with the former securing the Supercars title last year in empathic fashion, while Feeney is a proven race winner at the top level in both Supercars and GT racing around the world.
Although his most recent GT experience came in a Mercedes during GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS and other Australian rounds, Feeney impressed many earlier this year when he teamed up with Jamec Racing Team MPC in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 car for the 2025 Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour displaying top tier pace.
Feeney will be the first of the two Supercars drivers to race alongside Schumacher, as they kick off the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on April 4-6.
Brad Schumacher:“After starting off the year on a high note with a win at Bathurst 12 hour in Pro-Am, there had been plenty of discussion in the silly season leading up to the GT World Challenge Australia season,” said Schumacher.
“Once the opportunity arose to drive alongside Will Brown and Broc Feeney as a combination all year, it was really too hard to pass up.
“Obviously I drove with Will last year and had great results together, so we wanted to continue that momentum this year, but unfortunately, due to some conflicts with dates, Will wasn’t able to do it the entire season. It was then suggested that Broc jump in and take up the rounds that Will couldn’t do.
“At the end of the day though, Broc did such a fantastic job at the Bathurst 12 hour with Audi Sport Team MPC, so we decided it would be best if they just share the rounds evenly all season.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to join the calibre of these types of drivers this year.
“We’ve pulled my personal car out of retirement, and we’ll be running under the Audi Sport Team MPC banner, which is great. You really can’t find a more professional team in GT in my opinion. It feels like being back at home with the MPC crew and we just can’t wait to get started next week at Phillip Island.
“The goal is to win the Pro-Am title. I’ve won the Trophy Class and the Am title, so if I was able to take out the Pro-Am title, I would be the only person in GT World Challenge Australia history to win all three. That would be pretty cool if we could achieve that result this year.
“And I need to say a huge thank you to Tony Quinn at Game Over, Steve McLaughlin at Jamec Racing but also, Troy and Lee from MPC. None of this would have been possible without them. They’ve all played their part to bring this opportunity together for us so I will be working tirelessly to ensure I repay their efforts with the desired results.”
Wall Racing Lamborghini For Limited 2025 Programme
The Wall Racing run Lamborghini Huracan Evo2 shared by Adrian Deitz and Tony D’Alberto is set to join the grids for the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS on several occasions in 2025.
Its eye-catching livery, inspired by the famous BASF scheme from the PROCAR category of the early-1980s will be featured regularly this season, starting at Phillip Island next month.
The latest iteration of Lamborghini’s GT3 offering has been raced sparingly due to Deitz’s business commitments, but it has tasted success twice at the Bathurst 12 Hour in Silver Cup out of three race weekends since its debut last February.
Noted Lamborghini specialist and GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS rival Brendon Leitch drove with Deitz, D’Alberto, and Grant Denyer at the Bathurst 12 Hour this year, further aiding in the Huracan GT3 Evo2’s development.
Bringing engine improvements related to throttle response, more sophisticated electrical driver aids and a more stable aerodynamic platform ensures the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2 will be an entry to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Wall Racing will be in attendance at the SRO Motorsport Australia media day at Phillip Island, before getting its season underway at the opening round, headlining the Shannons SpeedSeries at the same venue on April 4-6.
Adrian Deitz: “We won our class at the car’s debut event at the Bathurst 12 Hour, and the plan was to roll into a season of GT World Challenge Australia, but unfortunately, my business commitments prevented me from doing this,” said Deitz.
“This year, we successfully defended the Silver Cup at the Bathurst 12 Hour, which was a tremendous achievement to go back-to-back and now we’re very much looking forward to racing GT World Challenge Australia.
“The Lamborghini has only raced at Bathurst and The Bend, so we’re excited to see how it performs at the other tracks on the calendar.
“The reaction to the livery of this car and its predecessor by the fans has just been overwhelming. When we first moved to the BASF tribute livery in 2019 with the old Evo1 Huracan it was only intended to be a one-off thing for a single event, but the fan reaction was just amazing, and we felt we couldn’t change it. When we got this new car, we elected to refresh it to reflect the fact it was an Evo2 and it has gained the same response.
“We’re excited to drive the car on a larger range of circuits, which will probably suit it a little bit better than Bathurst. We believe tracks like Phillip Island will suit the Lamborghini and display its strengths.
“I don’t want to predict how we’re going to do as we’ll find out on the day, but we want to do the best we can. Wall Racing is a very professional team, and Tony has been driving so well the last couple of years in Supercars, in TCR. David will be stepping in for Tony at Queensland Raceway and I couldn’t ask for a better stand-in.”
Tony D’Alberto: “I think anytime you can drive a GT3 car around some of Australia’s best circuits is a good day,” said D’Alberto.
“Driving with my mate Adrian as well. We’ve had some good success at the Bathurst 12 Hour most recently and we want to keep building on that alongside Adrian’s confidence in the car.
“We want to keep learning about the car as we haven’t done a lot of miles in it. We haven’t been to Phillip Island in it, we’ve only raced at Bathurst, Sydney Motorsport Park and The Bend, so we think there is a bit more time to find in it as we develop it further.
“We need to spend more time in the car to learn what it wants and needs. I’m sure we can get more out of it than we currently have been able to, which only comes with time for the drivers, engineers and the entire Wall Racing team.
“I need to get as many as I can throughout the year. We talk about Supercars enduros, there’s only two test days all year and one has already been used up prior to the opening round, which co-drivers do limited running. I’d much rather be sitting in a Lambo getting miles than sitting on the couch.
“I’ve been on this journey with Adrian for quite a few years and I just want him to really enjoy going racing again. I’d love to see him having some really good stints during the year and get back to enjoying car racing, because that’s why we do it. It’s a passion sport, so if we can get a few results along the way and hit some personal bests that’d be amazing.
“It will be interesting how we stack up against the other teams as there’s plenty of nice cars out there run by some great teams.
“I’m really looking forward to jumping back in and these things are just awesome to drive.
David Wall, Team Owner, Wall Racing: “To race such a unique car and be back for multiple rounds of the GT World Challenge Australia season in 2025 is exciting,” Wall said.
“It’s a category we love and one where I’ve personally had some success during my early career, but from a business point of view we’ve raced on and off for years. It’s back growing and there’s a lot of cool cars competing, so we really want to be a part of it. It’s great that Adrian and Tony are getting it all back together to compete.
“Being the only Lamborghini makes it a little bit unique and we particularly love the car. Its livery, which has evolved from the old BASF-based concept to now, has gained a cult following both here and overseas. To get it back on-track and more importantly enjoy it at the GT World Challenge Australia rounds, which is a great calendar.
“Having Brendon race with us at the Bathurst 12 Hour brought with it support and help through his links with Lamborghini. It’s been a definite move forward with everything, but the more we run it will continue to enhance the Huracan GT3 Evo2’s development.”
Steve Brooks Calls Up Ryan Wood For Season Opener
Following a cameo appearance at The Bend last year, New Zealander Steve Brooks will return to the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, committing to the full six round 2025 championship.
And for the opening round of the championship at Phillip Island next weekend, Brooks is bringing some star power to his ride.
Rising Supercars star Ryan Wood will team with his countryman to form a strong Pro-Am entry, driving an Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II for Melbourne Performance Centre, supported by WolfBrook.
Wood, who drives for powerhouse Supercars team Walkinshaw Andretti United, will make his GT World Challenge Australia debut at Phillip Island, but the quick Kiwi is no stranger to sports car competition.
The 21-year-old started his Australian motorsport journey in Porsche Sprint Challenge in 2022, finishing in second place after scoring eight victories from 15 races that year.
It was these results, and his supreme raw talent, that led him to a plumb Supercars seat with WAU in 2024.
Brooks is a regular in this New Zealand 3 Hour Endurance Racing Championship and, despite his lack of racing miles in Australia, is relishing the challenge of learning new circuits like Sydney Motorsport Park, Queensland Raceway and Sandown.
Ryan Wood: “I got a few laps at Phillip Island and it was interesting to get an understanding of how much aero the cars have,” said Wood.
“I’m probably still a little bit fresh to GT3 at the moment, so I’m still working on where I can push, but to be racing with MPC and in one of its Audis … they are probably the most successful GT3 team that Australia has. There’s lots of data and a whole heap of other fast guys that are gonna be under the same banner. That will help my learning curve.
“It’s great to be partnered with Steve. He is quite new to racing but what he has managed to learn and show in a race car in the first two or three years is pretty impressive, especially for someone that just does it as a hobby.
“I think by the end of the year he should be well amongst the front Bronze rated guys.
“I’m only confirmed to be in the car for the first round at Phillip Island. Steve’s planning on doing the rest of the year but I hope that we can have a good start to the year, get a few trophies and hopefully he invites me back!”
Steve Brooks: “It’s going to be great fun racing with a bunch of GT3 cars, especially the first time racing in Pro-Am,” said Brooks.
“I’m usually in the Am class, so competing this year with the fast guys and improving my driving and learning more about some new and exciting tracks is going to be great.
“The only Aussie track that I’ve raced on is The Bend. I did a practice day at Phillip Island earlier this week, but other than that I haven’t done any other laps in Australia.
“My big advantage will be the final round of the championship at Hampton Downs … I’m looking forward to showing everyone up there. The others can show me up at the Australian tracks, but when we get to Hampton Downs, I’m going to show them a thing or two!
“It will be really cool to share the seat with Ryan. I have supported him right from the start of his career and he hit me up for sponsorship earlier this year. I said “Ryan, I probably got something better for you” and I kept it under wraps for a while and then said “let’s go and do Phillip Island in GT.”
“I think we’re going to be a great pairing. He’s doing some great driving in Supercars and all the other teams are going to have to watch out … we’re gonna be coming for them!
“I really enjoyed the first round that I did at The Bend last year, so I’m really excited to bring Ryan along with me and, really, just hang out and race with a good bunch of people.”
Steve Wyatt and Jordan Love to pilot second Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3
Arise Racing GT has confirmed its second Ferrari 296 GT3 for the 2025 GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season, with Steven Wyatt making a grand return to racing alongside GT star Jordan Love.
In what will be an all-West Australian lineup, the pair will join the already-announced Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte at the reigning GT World Challenge Australia Sprint Cup Team Champions – completing the WA based outfit’s dual charge in the highly competitive Pro-Am class.
Leading the entry will be Wyatt, who has a wealth of experience behind the wheel of a Ferrari 458 GT3 at international level having contested a number of prestigious categories, including Blancpain Endurance Series, Ferrari Challenge Europe and 24 Hours of Le Mans to name but a few, before taking a break away from the sport in 2016.
Almost a decade later, Wyatt will return to racing at a national level after working with Arise Racing and Love at a number of test days to build his confidence behind the wheel and familiarise himself with the new Ferrari 296 GT3.
As for Love, the 2019 Carrera Cup Australia champion had an enjoyable stint overseas following his title-winning season, racing in top-level international categories such as Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, and Asian Le Mans Series – many of which he contested as a Mercedes Junior Driver.
With the pair having developed a close relationship over the years as part of Love’s coaching of Wyatt, they have built a good rapport, making them a strong combination in the Pro-Am class.
The pair begin their 2025 GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS campaign at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries’ GT Festival Phillip Island.
Steve Wyatt: “I’m pleased to be back on the grid this year with Arise Racing GT after some time away from the seat,” said Wyatt. “It’s been great to drive again and get accustomed to the latest-spec Ferrari GT3, which is quite different from the 458 I was racing previously.
“The team has been fantastic to work with, and I look forward to building momentum as the season progresses.”
Jordan Love: “I am thrilled to join Arise Racing and Steve Wyatt for the 2025 GT World Challenge Australia season,” said Love.
“To be asked to join the reigning championship team and to be driving a Ferrari 296 is special and an opportunity you can’t say no to.
“Apart from the Bathurst 12-hour, I haven’t raced in Australia since I left at the beginning of 2020, so it’s incredibly exciting to be back racing on home soil.
“I’ve known Steve for years, and he’s always been supportive and attentive to my career. Now, sharing a car with him and helping him make a comeback to motorsport after eight years on the sidelines is an opportunity I’m incredibly grateful for.
“I can’t wait to get started and experience the Ferrari’s capabilities.”
Jordan Oon – Arise Racing GT Team Principal “We are incredibly excited to have Steve Wyatt and Jordan Love as our second entry for the 2025 racing season,” said Oon.
“Steve has raced with Ferrari internationally for the better part of a decade, and it has been a pleasure getting him back up to speed after a few years away from the sport.
“Having a complete West Australian entry in the Pro-Am class is something we are very proud of. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase WA talent at the highest level of GT racing in Australia.”
