AUSTRALIAN GT TITLE TO BE DECIDED AT SANDOWN

Liam Talbot leads the Australian GT Championship heading into the final round – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Australian GT heads into it’s final sprint round of the 2017 with the title to be decided at Sandown this weekend.

Five drivers are technically in with a chance to claim the title. However, it’s the battle between Liam Talbot and Geoff Emery at the top of the points table that’ll likely determine the 2017 champion.

Liam Talbot, has claimed three race victories so far in the Mega Racing Porsche 911 GT3-R.

“It’d be a very special feeling to win the Championship,” said Talbot.

“I’ve seen what Klark Quinn has done over the years, and to be able to emulate that would be incredible.

“We know what we’ve got to do and we’ve proven through the year what we can do.

“I love pressure, the longer the racing goes the stronger I get, so I can’t wait.

“I think the Saturday race schedule with everything jammed in will be great for me – my fitness is the best it’s ever been, so I can’t wait to get back on track.”

The Queensland ace holds a slender 28-point advantage over Geoff Emery, who will drive the Valvoline Jamec Pem Racing Audi R8 LMS solo for the first time.

“I’d be wrapped to be able to do that off the back of last year,” said Emery of the prospect of claiming the Australian GT Championship.

“I’m happy with how the season’s gone, especially considering where I was this time last year – I was learning to walk again.

“To come back and potentially have a chance of winning the Championship, I’m actually pretty happy with how it’s gone.”

Audi stablemate Ash Walsh also remains in contention.

After bursting onto the Australian GT scene at the opening round of the year in Adelaide, and with a number of pole positions and fastest laps to his name, Walsh quickly established himself as one of the leading runners in the field.

Partnering him in the Supabarn Supermarkets Audi for the second time this season will be Duvashen Padayachee, who shared the driving duties at Townsville in what proved to be an extremely competitive combination.

This weekends event will also be the first time since 2012 that the Australian GT Championship will have been decided on Australian soil.

Australian GT action will kick off with practice and two qualifying sessions on Friday. While Saturday will feature three 40 minute races to decide the 2017 champion.

Australian GT Championship Points Standings

1. Liam Talbot, 544pts
2. Geoff Emery, 516
3. Ash Walsh, 455
4. Roger Lago, 441
5, Max Twigg, 395

We’ll have more details in the lead up to Sandown, in the meantime follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or sign up for our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues.