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EXCLUSIVE: NEW OWNER FOR AUSTRALIAN GT

Australian GT looks set for new ownership - Photo: InSyde Media

By Bruce Williams

Australian GT looks set for new ownership - Photo: InSyde Media

Australian GT looks set for new ownership – Photo: InSyde Media

After nearly 12 months of speculation, Australian GT category management rights owner Tony Quinn is close to finalising a deal that will see the ownership rights on-sold to current competitor and GT category control tyre supplier Trofeo Motorsport.

Auto Action has learned that Quinn and Trofeo Motorsport owner Jim Manolios have been in discussions over the acquisition of the CAMS category management agreement, which includes the Australian GT Championship and the GT Trophy Series.

It is understood that a Heads of Agreement has been signed by the two parties, which includes a non-disclosure clause and it is currently awaiting ratification from CAMS.

AA believes that the current Australian GT management structure, including category manager Ken Collier, will be retained and the current race schedule for the remainder of 2018 will also remain unchanged.

Tony Quinn took over Australian GT mid-2011 - Photo: InSyde Media

Tony Quinn took over Australian GT mid-2011 – Photo: InSyde Media

Quinn has owned the Australian GT Championship since mid-2011 after purchasing the rights from Martin and Rachael Wagg. Since then the category has expanded into the GT Trophy Series for older specification GT3 cars, GT4 and championship races held in New Zealand.

Under Quinn’s ownership, the category grew rapidly and enjoyed popularity among competitors, fans and promoters alike. However, in early 2017 the decision was made to move away from holding rounds of the championship at Supercars events, sparking disunity between Australian GT management and several high-profile teams.

After threats from these teams to withdraw from GT racing, Australian GT management was forced into the re-scheduling of the series calendar. But following the dispute, Quinn sought to remove himself from the category ownership.

It is believed a deal between Quinn and Supercars was close to being finalised in mid-2017 before CAMS vetoed the agreement.

Since that time, speculation has surrounded the future ownership of the GT category and it is believed that CAMS will approve the proposed sale to Trofeo Motorsport.

Trofeo Motorsport, headed by businessman/racer Jim Manolios, holds the distribution rights for Lamborghini Squadra Corse GT race cars in Australia, including the Huracan GT3, and is the Pirelli Motorsport tyre distributor.

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