Leitch to Spearhead All-NZ MPC Audi Lineup

Brendon Leitch will contest a full season of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS as he teams up with fellow New Zealander Tim Miles to drive for the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi squad.

Leitch, 28, has raced primarily in GT3 machinery in Europe in recent seasons, notably winning last year’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe title with Leipert Motorsport.

He has also raced with Leipert in Fanatec GT Europe, contesting a full season of the Endurance Cup in 2022, as well as the Asian Le Mans Series.

But now Leitch will relocate from Europe to Sydney to embark on his first full season in Fanatec GT Australia, pairing up with Bronze-rated Miles at the wheel of an MPC-prepared Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II starting with next month’s Phillip Island round.

“I’m really excited to be driving with Tim and MPC,” said Leitch. “It’s my first time racing in Australia, so I’m looking forward to racing in GT World Challenge and having some fun.

“Coming over to Australia gives me the chance to tick off some bucket list race tracks and for the first round to be at Phillip Island, it’s really cool.

“I’ve done a lot of simulator laps at Phillip Island. It’s an amazing track. I’ve been to the track before, but I was only four years old, so racing there will be a whole new challenge.

“The GT World Challenge field looks competitive. There is some strong competition there. But having Tim is a great bonus. He has lots of experience and is one of the best Am drivers going around.

“I think we have a really good shot at winning, but It all needs to come together. I’m really excited for the season and I can’t wait for it to get underway.”

Miles meanwhile makes the move from the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia series, having last raced in Fanatec GT Australia in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 in 2017.

He described his teammate Leitch as “blindingly fast”, adding: “I drove with him in Highlands 6 Hour [last November] and I was really impressed.

“I was keen to partner with him, help him get into the Australian scene and hopefully do a good job of showcasing himself close to home.”

MPC has previously announced it will run additional R8s for Will Brown and Brad Schumacher in the Pro-Am class and Ash Samadi in the Am class.