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Tigani Motorsport to make debut at The Bend
New South Wales-based motorsport team Tigani Motorsport will make its debut in Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS this weekend at The Bend Motorsport Park.
Led by Nathan Tigani, the squad will make its debut at the top level of local GT racing fielding the Valmont Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 to be shared by Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires.
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Initially, Tigani Motorsport has committed to contesting the sprint round at The Bend this weekend and the final endurance round at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International on November 11-13, continuing its campaign at the season ending event in Adelaide is also being considered.
Initially the squad will race in GT Trophy, but plans are well advanced to upgrade the Mercedes to the newest specification ahead of a full-season tilt next year.
Business partners Zalloua and Pires co-founded Valmont, a commercial design and construction company in 2004, but have only combined their racing efforts recently at the LIQUI MOLY Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year. Joined by Duvashen Padayachee, the trio scored a berth in the Top 10 Shootout as the team raised significant money for the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Sony Foundation’s ‘You Can Stay’ program during the event.
Both Zalloua and Pires are experienced drivers in their own right in state production sports car competition.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS will contest the penultimate event of its sprint campaign at the final round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships at The Bend Autofest on October 21-23.
QUOTES
Nathan Tigani,
Director, Tigani Motorsport
“At this stage we’re looking at doing the next two events as well as possibly the last round in Adelaide depending on how it goes at The Bend and Bathurst,” confirmed Nathan Tigani.
“To be honest, I only started the team 18 months ago, so to be already involved in GT is something I never really expected. It was always on the radar of places I wanted to be or get the team to, but to be there so soon in addition to a competitive car is awesome.
“It’s a testament to the team and everyone involved. It’s also great that Marcel and Sergio have put their faith into me to be able to run it.
“It’s currently a GT Trophy specification Mercedes, but it’s currently in the pipeline to upgrade the current car to an outright entry, with the rest of the year just a test to gear us up for hopefully a full assault next season.
“For us we’d love a result, but we want to keep our goals realistic, do a good job and we’ll see how the rest of the rounds unfold.”