WHINCUP TO MAKE AUSTRALIAN GT DEBUT

Jamie Whincup to make his Australian GT debut – Photo: InSyde Media

Seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup will make his Australian GT Championship debut at Phillip Island on June 7-9.

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team driver joins Yasser Shahin in a Mercedes-AMG GT3 for the opening round of the CAMS Australian Endurance Championship. Whincup makes a return to GT racing and Mercedes after a strong campaign at the Bathurst 12 Hour where he was joined by teammate Shane van Gisbergen and Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver Craig Lowndes.

Shahin has had a busy start to the year after competing at the Bathurst 12 Hour alongside 2017 Bathurst 1000 winners David Reynolds and Luke Youlden, he contested the Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup at the Adelaide 500 and travelled to the second round of the series at Zhuhai last week, winning on debut.

Shahin is hoping for better luck at The Island after a disappointing Bathurst 12 Hour campaign and is keen to learn from the experienced Whincup.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into the Australian GT action,” Shahin admitted. “I love the endurance format and driving alongside and learning from a world class driver like Jamie can only help my development as a driver.”

“I’ve known Jamie for a while, and obviously am aware of his ability behind the wheel, so I’m really looking forward to sharing the drive and taking the fight to the leading teams.”

The opening round of the CAMS Australian Endurance Championship forms part of the second round of the Shannons Nationals alongside TCR Australia and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.

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