NZ Champions Among 14-Car Grid for Hampton Downs Finale

A new Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II featuring an all-New Zealand driver lineup is one of 14 cars that features on the entry list for this weekend’s GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season finale at Hampton Downs.

Revealed last week, International Motorsport Group (IMS) is fielding the No. 27 Audi in the Pro-Am class for Kiwi duo Jonny Reid and Sam Fillmore for their first appearance in the series after securing their third North Island Endurance Series title this year.

Reid, 42, has wide-ranging international single-seater experience in categories including A1 Grand Prix, Indy Lights and All-Japan Formula 3, is a Bathurst 12 Hour class winner and has also enjoyed success in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.

Fillmore meanwhile is better known for his domestic exploits, but has Bathurst 12H experience and has also raced in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia and the 24H Series.

Team owner Nick Williamson said: “To join GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS made a lot of sense for us, as it’s been a culmination of a good year of results and a great cohesion between the two drivers and ourselves.

“It was really nice to win rounds four and five, as well as the New Zealand title. That’s the third championship for Jonny and Sam as a pairing, and the team’s ninth overall, so we seem to have found a pretty good formula for success.

“We’ve also had two podiums at the Bathurst 12 Hour, so while racing with the Aussies isn’t completely unfamiliar territory, it’s always a great challenge and something we are used to.

“It’s a bit easier for us being at our home track — it’s still tough, but we’re going in with a really positive mindset. With that said, it’ll be a tall order to get a win, but once we get on top of the tire, I back ourselves to be right in the fight.”

The No. 27 Audi joins two previously-announced cars for this round, the No. 23 Zagame Autosport Ferrari 296 GT3 of Josh Buchan and Cameron Campbell, and the No. 96 Mach 1 Engineering Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo of Shane Smollen and Anthony Pedersen.

The three new entries are balanced by the fact that the same number of regular entries are not making the trip, most notably the Pro-Am No. 268 Team BRM Audi of Alex Peroni and Mark Rosser, despite its victory last time out at The Bend.

Also absent are the No. 47 Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG driven by brothers James and Theo Koundouris in the Am class and the sole Trophy class No. 24 MPC Audi.

It means there are no Trophy class entries for this weekend and just two in the Am class, the Black Wolf Motorsport Mercedes-AMG (Benjamin Schoots/Shane Woodman) and the 111 Racing Mercedes-AMG (Darren Currie/Grant Donaldson).

The No. 181 OnlyFans-sponsored MPC Audi has moved from the Am class to the Pro-Am class with the addition of Damon Leitch (elder brother of Brendon Leitch) alongside Renee Gracie, after Gracie wrapped up the Am title at The Bend driving solo.

One other notable driver change is Josh Hunt partnering Liam Talbot aboard the No. 1 Volante Rosso Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT3.

Team co-owner Hunt replaces Jamie Day, who has conflicting commitments with Aston Martin after contesting the Sandown and The Bend rounds for the team.

Hunt last raced in GTWC Australia at Queensland in 2023, sharing a Mercedes-AMG with Chris Batzios, but tested the Aston Martin this year at the same track in June.