Schumacher And Slade Join Top GT3 Class

Mount Panorama local Brad Schumacher will make his outright Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered AWS debut on home turf when the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International arrives next month.

Schumacher will join the top GT3 class after upgrading his Audi R8 to the current Evo II specification and he will steer it alongside current Supercars star Tim Slade.

Work has been taking place by the Schumacher Motorsport crew at Melbourne Performance Centre to bring Schumacher’s current 2016 Audi R8 seen at selected Australian GT World Challenge class rounds to the same spec as series leader Yasser Shahin and title contender Liam Talbot.

With more than 100 components to be changed within a six-day process, Schumacher Motorsport driver and owner Brad Schumacher said many resources have been used to make it happen.

“We’ve sent down a couple of our mechanics from Schumacher Motorsport, who are completing the entire upgrade under the watchful eye of Melbourne Performance Centre personnel,” he said.

“MPC has been so kind to do that under its supervision to make sure the upgrades are completed to the specification document and correctly.

“Thank you to MPC for allowing us to do this as a satellite team. We’re very grateful for that.”

The major upgrades include engine, aerodynamic and the inclusion of air conditioning among other items. 

Last year Schumacher competed in an older Ultra version of the R8, but purchased a newer model prior to this season and has dominated GT Trophy to lead the standings despite missing the recent rounds held at Sandown and The Bend.

He holds a 14-point lead in the standings over Michael Kokkinos in the GT Trophy championship and along with the upgraded Audi, the other ace up his sleeve will be welcoming Slade aboard.

Tim Slade will be joining Brad Schumacher at the 2022 Supercheap Auto Bathurst International. Photo by Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images)

The pair will complete a shakedown at Phillip Island prior to the inaugural Supercheap Auto Bathurst International, where the GT World Challenge field will tackle a three-hour endurance event.

Schumacher is thrilled to be racing alongside Supercars veteran Slade, who he hopes can push him past Prince Jefri Ibrahim and Shane van Gisbergen in the endurance title.

“We’re pleased to announce a good friend of mine Tim Slade will join us in the Pro-Am category,” Schumacher said.

“We’ve been fortunate as mates that Tim has helped me along as a driver for some time now, it’s been a long time coming for us to get together in a car and we can’t wait to do that at the Bathurst International for our first event.

“The Bathurst International is the second and final round of the endurance title. After the Bathurst 12 Hour, I’m second in the standings behind Prince Jefri Ibrahim and I’m hoping with the upgrades I’ll be fighting for the title.”

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