Randle Joins Zalloua for Sydney Motorsport Park One-Off

Photo: GT World Challenge Australia

Supercars regular Thomas Randle will partner the returning Marcel Zalloua at the wheel of a Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG for this weekend’s second round of the GT World Challenge Australia season at Sydney Motorsport Park.

The pair will share the ResetData-backed No. 44 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo as Zalloua returns to action having sat out the season opener at Phillip Island.

Zalloua raced in the Am category last year alongside Sergio Pires in the Am category, but Pires has made the step up to Pro-Am competition for this year sharing a Tigani-run Mercedes-AMG with series newcomer George King.

The New South Wales driver is now making a similar step himself in time for his home race, but at the wheel of a Mercedes-AMG with his regular Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II having been damaged in a crash in the Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

Randle meanwhile is no stranger to GT3 machinery, having been part of the Scott Taylor Motorsport lineup for the past two editions of the Bathurst 12H.

“I am excited to be back in the category after missing out on Phillip Island,” commented Zalloua. “I found watching from the sidelines really tough, so with Sydney being my home round, I had to figure out how I could get back behind the wheel – especially since the Audi wasn’t in good shape after Bathurst.

“Thankfully Tigani has the Mercedes, which will be great for me. We’ll have the new sponsor, ResetData, backing me and I will aim to put on a show on home soil with my family and friends all here – it’s why I love racing at Sydney Motorsport Park.

“There was the option to go solo for this round, but I was watching Serge learn a lot from George King and I figured partnering with someone highly skilled could only benefit my development – especially since I’m not getting a lot of drive time this year.”

KFC-Sponsored MPC Audi Bolsters Trophy Class for SMP

Another new entry for the SMP round is the addition of a Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS Evo in the Trophy class for older machinery.

The KFC-backed car, which was due to race at Phillip Island but was a late withdrawal, will be shared by Gary Higgon and Matthew Stoupas.

MPC owner Troy Russell said: “It’s fantastic to have Gary and Matt confirmed to run for GT Festival in Sydney – obviously we were extremely close with having them run in Phillip Island, but it just didn’t happen in the end.

“Both drivers are extremely excited to return to the category for this round and I am hopeful they will stick with it for the rest of the season.

“While they each have success in the Am class, running in the Trophy Class presents itself as a unique opportunity as it’s the best place to get into GT3 racing with a slightly older car. No doubt, over the next couple of years it will grow.

“Right now, I imagine there would be a dozen eligible cars out there, and I am hoping Matt and Gary’s entry can inspire them to come out and play with us.”