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Brad Schumacher and Tim Slade to contest top GT3 class at Bathurst International
Mount Panorama local Brad Schumacher will make his outright Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered AWS debut at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International after upgrading his Audi R8 to the current Evo II specification.
Work is being undertaken by the Schumacher Motorsport crew at Melbourne Performance Centre on Schumacher’s current 2016-spec Audi R8 that he has raced in selected rounds of the Australian GT World Challenge class this year.
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The upgrades to the latest specification are being done under the watchful eye of the factory Audi team’s personnel.
More than 100 components will be changed during the six day process to bring Schumacher’s Audi to the same spec as series leader Yasser Shahin and title contender Liam Talbot.
These upgrades include engine, aerodynamic and the inclusion of air conditioning among other items. Schumacher last year competed in an older Ultra version of the R8, but purchased a newer model prior to his season and has dominated GT Trophy to lead the standings despite missing the last round at Sandown.
In an exciting development, the experienced Tim Slade will join Schumacher in debuting the upgraded Audi at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International bolstering an already strong Pro-Am field for the three-hour event.
Slade and Schumacher will complete a shakedown at Phillip Island prior to the inaugural Supercheap Auto Bathurst International on November 11-13.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered AWS will hold a three-hour endurance race at the famed Mount Panorama circuit completing the two-round endurance componesnt of the GT World Challenge championship.
Schumacher currently sits in second place in that title fight behind Mercedes AMG duo Shane van Gisbergen and Prince Jefri Ibrahim.
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered AWS will be one of seven classes competing at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International. The sportscar class will be joined by the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, Turtle Wax Trans Am, Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, Australian Production Cars and Prototypes.
QUOTES
Brad Schumacher
Owner and driver, Schumacher Motorsport
“We’ve sent down a couple of our mechanics from Schumacher Motorsport, who are completing the entire upgrade under the watchful eye of Melbourne Performance Centre personnel,” said Schumacher.
“MPC has been so kind to do that under its supervision to make sure the upgrades are completed to the specification document and correctly.
“Thank you to MPC for allowing us to do this as a satellite team. We’re very grateful for that.
“The Bathurst International is the second and final round of the endurance title. After the Bathurst 12 Hour, I’m second in the standings behind Prince Jefri Ibrahim and I’m hoping with the upgrades I’ll be fighting for the title.
“We’re pleased to announce a good friend of mine Tim Slade will join us in the Pro-Am category. We’ve been fortunate as mates that Tim has helped me along as a driver for some time now, it’s been a long time coming for us to get together in a car and we can’t wait to do that at the Bathurst International for our first event.”