Bumper GT4 field for opener
GT4 Australia continues to grow with a record 31-car field set for the Phillip Island season opener this weekend.
The second running of GT4 Australia sees huge year-on-year growth with just 18 cars fronting up at the corresponding round 12 months ago.
There will be a new champion winning combination with no Marcos Flack as Tom Hayman will defend his inaugural title alongside Max Geoghegan.
But there will be plenty of contenders and makes with BMW, McLaren, Toyota, Mercedes, Ginetta, Audi, Ford and Porsche all on show.
A pairing to look out for will be George Miedecke and Rylan Gray, who are hoping to go one better after just missing out on the title last year.
Having often been the sole runner of a GT4 Mustang, they will be joined by three other Fords in Silver Cup.
Joining the field is a team that can never be discounted in Triple Eight and the early form is already ominous.
Triple Eight new recruit Summer Rintoule impressed in her first outing for the famous team.
Driving the #87 Mercedes she was the driver in the 1m34s window and ended the day on top ahead of Blake Purdie’s Audi and Cameron Crick’s Mustang.
Rintoule will be looking to carry on the impressive start alongside Super2 driver Jarrod Hughes.
Other notable drivers in the field include Grant Denyer, Lochie Dalton, Cody Burcher, Josh Buchan, Aaron Seton, Zac Soutar and Nash Morris.
SRO Motorsport Australia CEO Ben McMellan is delighted to have such a big field.
“Very few national categories in Australia have more than 30 entries at rounds, so to have that many in what is effectively our second solo season is a remarkable achievement,” said McMellan.
“A lot of effort has gone in behind the scenes to build this category, and it’s fantastic to see that work paying off as there is lots of excitement building from so many drivers and teams who are getting behind the series.
“The most impressive thing about this entry list, though, is diversity—not just from a manufacturer’s point of view, but from the driving list too. All three classes have good numbers entered and a range of talent, so it should be fascinating to see what transpires over the course of the season.
“We are extremely proud of this, and I am sure the fans will be highly entertained at every round of the Shannons SpeedSeries watching these crews put on a show for all.”
Image: RACE PROJECT
GT4 Australia Phillip Island entry list
Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.
