Dramatic Victory for Shahin and Campbell in Adelaide GT World Challenge
Close Contest Heightens Anticipation in the Race for the Championship
In a thrilling commencement to the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia, powered by AWS, the EMA Motorsport / The Bend Motorsport Park Porsche, piloted by Yasser Shahin and Matt Campbell, emerged victorious in the opening race at Adelaide. The duo's triumph not only marked a significant win but also intensified the competition for the GT World Challenge Australia title.
The race witnessed Shahin seizing an early lead from the pole position, ahead of Liam Talbot in the Shannons Audi. Despite a nearly critical overshoot at turn four, Shahin managed to maintain his lead, narrowly avoiding a collision with Talbot's Audi. The early stages of the race were further enlivened by incidents involving GT3 Trophy competitors Paul Lucchitti and Tom McLennan at turn nine, leading to a spin for McLennan's Earl Bamber Motorsport Porsche and impacting James Koundouris' Supabarn Supermarket Mercedes.
Further drama unfolded as Christos Batzios’ Mercedes-AMG GT3 collided with Geoff Taunton's MARC II Mustang, forcing both cars to retire due to the sustained damage. The championship contenders, including Geoff Emery, Shahin, and Talbot, took early pit stops, handing over their vehicles to their respective professional co-drivers.
The EMA Porsche, now under Campbell's command, maintained a lead, despite fluctuating due to lapped traffic. Christopher Mies, in the Shannons Audi, mounted a formidable challenge in the final stages, setting a lap record in his pursuit of Campbell. However, his efforts were not enough to surpass the leading Porsche, with Campbell finishing with a lead of over one and a half seconds.
The podium was completed by the Talbot/Mies Shannons Audi and the Jamec Racing Audi of Emery/Hofer. Brad Schumacher, in his Schumacher Motorsport Audi, led the Am class, finishing an impressive fourth outright. GT3 Trophy honours were claimed by Marcos Flack in the Sonic Motor Racing Services Porsche, despite a penalty during his pit stop.
The Invitational class victory was secured by John Goodacre in the Gap Solutions / Ult100 Oils MARC GT. As the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia proceeds, the tension escalates with the next race scheduled to commence tomorrow morning, promising another day of high-octane racing excitement.
