The deep partnership between Leitch and Miles
Brendon Leitch and the late Tim Miles were not just both racers, but also close friends, with the global GT racer penning an emotional tribute to his former co-driver.
The two Kiwis have known each other for more than a decade with that relationship leading to a shared drive in the GT World Challenge.
But following the tragic passing of Miles (58) following a cycling accident in Sydney earlier this month, the silver Melbourne Performance Centre #7 Dayle ITM Audi will not race at Sandown this weekend.
However, the car will still be present, leading the tributes for the former racer.
Miles made a massive impact in motorsport both on and off the track with Leitch one of the many influenced by him.
The pair made an immediate splash in GT World Challenge Australia, winning their second race together at Phillip Island last year.
A runner-up finish in their last start at Queensland Raceway pushed their podium tally to six from just 16 starts.
The all-Kiwi Audi Brendon Leitch and Tim Miles raced together. Image: RACE PROJECT
Leitch revealed their recent success sharing the Audi is just one part of their relationship.
He revealed he thought about racing on at Sandown this weekend, but felt it was not “appropriate” without his friend.
Leitch paid tribute to Miles for not only growing his career, but so many others.
“Tim and I had the privilege of sharing an Audi R8 LMS GT3 with support from Dayle ITM as part of Melbourne Performance Centre, and I’m saddened to not be continuing our amazing journey together,” he said.
“We explored options to continue racing but none of them felt appropriate without Tim. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the team for its efforts to date.
“Tim and I met a decade ago but only got the chance to race together at the beginning of 2024.
“When an unexpected change of plans put my career in Germany on ice, Tim was the one to offer me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse.
“My partner and I moved to Sydney where Tim and his family welcomed us with open arms.
“We enjoyed success straight away, winning just our second race together at Phillip Island and stood on the podium several more times in the year-and-a-half since.
“If not for Tim, I wouldn’t be where I am now. It is a shame that I will not be continuing in GT World Challenge Australia for now, but hopefully you’ll have not seen the last divebomb from me.
Brendon Leitch tested with MSR and Cameron Crick earlier this year and would love another crack at Supercars. Image: InSyde Media
“Tim played a massive part in motorsport and business and I was fortunate enough to be one of so many he made a lasting impression on.
As a result, Leitch is determined to complete one of the pair’s shared ambitions of seeing him drive in the Great Race.
Despite becoming a global GT winner led by success in Lamborghinis, Leitch still has a strong desire to race in Supercars.
This led to a drive with Matt Stone Racing during the Supercars pre-season test at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this year.
Whilst Leitch is disappointed not to be part of the Enduro Cup in 2025, he will aim to do Miles proud by getting there in the future.
“Tim saw potential in me and was the key that opened the door to a Supercars test with Matt Stone Racing,” Leitch said.
“I think it speaks to Tim’s pulling power that it took very little convincing for teams to take some interest in me.
“Unfortunately, a deal has not come together yet to race at The Bend 500 and the Bathurst 1000 this year, but I’ve still got a close eye on Supercars and am keen to make Tim’s vision of me being on the Great Race grid at Mount Panorama a reality one day.”
Image: RACE PROJECT
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