Brown, Feeney Split Schumacher MPC Audi Co-Driver Duties

Photo: GT World Challenge Australia

Brad Schumacher will share a Melbourne Performance Centre-run Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II with Supercars stars Will Brown and Broc Feeney over the course of the new GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season.

Brown and Feeney will take turns piloting the No. 888 Audi alongside Schumacher throughout the six-round campaign that begins this weekend at Phillip Island.

Feeney will be in the hot seat for the curtain-raiser following a positive showing for the youngster in February’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour at the wheel of the Jamec Racing-entered MPC Audi, with he and Brown set to contest three rounds each.

Brown meanwhile continues his partnership with Schumacher that yielded three victories and second overall last season.

“After starting off the year on a high note with a win at Bathurst 12 Hour in Pro-Am, there had been plenty of discussion in the silly season leading up to the GT World Challenge Australia season,” said Schumacher.

“Once the opportunity arose to drive alongside Will Brown and Broc Feeney as a combination all year, it was really too hard to pass up.

“Obviously I drove with Will last year and had great results together, so we wanted to continue that momentum this year, but unfortunately, due to some conflicts with dates, Will wasn’t able to do it the entire season.

“It was then suggested that Broc jump in and take up the rounds that Will couldn’t do.

“At the end of the day though, Broc did such a fantastic job at the Bathurst 12 Hour with Audi Sport Team MPC, so we decided it would be best if they just share the rounds evenly all season.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to join the caliber of these types of drivers this year.”

Brooks Confirmed for Full Season in MPC Audi

Elsewhere in the MPC Audi stable, Steve Brooks has firmed up plans to contest a full season at the wheel of a R8 LMS GT3 Evo II under the WolfBrook Team MPC banner.

Brooks will be joined for the Phillip Island opener by Supercars driver Ryan Wood.

The New Zealander made a one-off outing at The Bend last year, sharing an Audi with Nick McBride, and is looking forward to a full campaign on Australian soil.

“It’s going to be great fun racing with a bunch of GT3 cars, especially the first time racing in Pro-Am,” said Brooks. “Competing this year with the fast guys and improving my driving and learning more about some new and exciting tracks is going to be great.

“The only Aussie track that I’ve raced on is The Bend. My big advantage will be the final round of the championship at Hampton Downs [in New Zealand].

“The others can show me up at the Australian tracks, but when we get to Hampton Downs, I’m going to show them a thing or two!”