Randle Joins Castrol-Backed BRM Audi for Phillip Island

Thomas Randle will partner Mark Rosser at the wheel of Team BRM’s Castrol-sponsored Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II for next week’s opening round of the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season at Phillip Island.

The Australian Supercars regular will deputize for Rosser’s usual co-driver Alex Peroni, who was set to join Rosser aboard the No. 268 entry again for the full campaign but is unable to race in the curtain-raiser due to injury.

Randle, who was part of the Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes-AMG lineup for the recent Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour, is no stranger to BRM, having previously driven for the team in 2021 in the S5000 single-seater series.

“I’m really excited to be teaming up again with Team BRM and for the first time Mark Rosser for the opening round of GT World Challenge Australia at Phillip Island,” said Randle.

“Any opportunity in a GT3 car is amazing, but to do it with Castrol is really exciting. I think the car looks amazing and it’s going to really stand out on the track.

“At this stage, I’m only in the car for Phillip Island, so we’ll see what happens after that, but it’s great that Castrol will stick with Team BRM for the full season in a supporting capacity.”

Peroni and Rosser scored two wins last year at Queensland Raceway and The Bend on their way to eighth in the standings, having missed the Hampton Downs finale.

The pair appeared together in the Bathurst 12H, but their race came to a fiery end when co-driver James Golding suffered a race-ending crash.

Rosser said: “It’s obviously unfortunate not to have Alex for the opening rounds, but we’re very fortunate to have Tom step in – he’s a quality driver and brings great experience.

“He’s worked with Marcus [Koch, engineer] before and we’ve done some sim work together, so there’s already a strong foundation there.

“It’s been a busy lead-in for the team after Bathurst, with a last-minute effort to get the car ready, but everyone’s done a fantastic job to have us on track.

“As always, the goal is to fight for strong results and ultimately the championship, and with tracks like Phillip Island and The Bend suiting us, we’re hoping to start the season on the front foot.”

Second Arise GT Ferrari Confirmed for Phillip Island

Another entry that has been locked in for the Phillip Island season opener on March 27-29 is the No. 77 Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3 of Jordan Love and Steve Wyatt.

The duo are currently confirmed only for first round, having taken part in this week’s pre-season test at the Victorian circuit, with a decision on a full campaign to follow.

Wyatt finished seventh in last year’s standings with a best finish of fourth at Queensland, where he was partnered by Love’s brother Aaron on a one-off basis.

“I am hugely grateful for ARGT and Steve for having me back for a second year,” Love said.

“It’s super exciting to have Steve going again, as obviously last year being his first year and his return to racing after ten years out of the seat was very much a learning year.

“I think we will be able to continue our speed this year, and obviously now Steve will be going back to a lot of tracks that he’s now seen for a second or third time, so hopefully it’s going to keep flowing.”

The number of cars confirmed for Phillip Island now stands at 11, with further announcements likely ahead of the opener.