GT FIELD GROWS WITH MERCEDES ADDITION

Sydney-based RAM Motorsport will join the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS in 2022 after its recently acquired Mercedes-AMG GT3 arrived from New Zealand.

Currently in 2017-spec, the team plans to attack the highly competitive GT Trophy class initially but has not ruled out upgrading to the latest Evolution specification.

Spearheaded by Michael Sheargold, RAM Motorsport’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS program will be backed by GWR Australia with Garth Walden set to co-drive the entry.

A self-confessed devotee to the Mercedes brand, Sheargold has previous experience in the NSW Production Touring Cars and made the step up last year to Production Sports driving a Porsche 991 Cup Car in anticipation of joining the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS.

“I’ve been getting competitive in the 991 Cup Car in the state series, I’ve had my eye on GT3 for a while and decided the time was right to have a go,” Sheargold said.

“I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get it on the track rather than walking around it in the workshop.”

GWR Australia has previous experience with Mercedes machinery after running an SLS in GT competition some time ago and have won a race outright in this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS courtesy of Brett Hobson in his Nissan GT-R GT3.

“GWR used to run an SLS, it’s not exactly the same, but there is some componentry that’s similar, so it’s handy the team know a bit about the car and have a relationship with HWA,” Sheargold explained.

“The team is currently getting to know the car to make sure it’s as set up as it can before the first test.”

Sheargold hopes to clock up plenty of miles in his new acquisition ahead of next year’s campaign.

“We aim to take it to Challenge Bathurst and we hope to get it to as many Sydney Motorsport Park track days as well as what’s available,” said Sheargold.

“I’ll try to get as much seat time as I can before the end of the year or even early next year. It’d be great to test at some of the tracks on the calendar this season or expected to be on next year’s schedule.

“If an opportunity opens up later this year at a state race meeting where it’s not uncommon to compete against Nick Kelly, Andrew Macpherson and Vince Muriti, so you might have three or four cars that also compete in GT World Challenge Australia.

“You get seat time, but also a bit of a yardstick of where you’re at.”

The next round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park on October 15-17.

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