Photo: GT World Challenge Australia

A total of 18 cars will compete in the third round of the AWS-powered Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia season at Queensland Raceway this weekend.

This is the biggest turnout the series has ever attracted and is an increase on the previous meeting at The Bend and the season opener at Phillip Island.

The top class of the Pro/Am class has 10 cars, while the Am class has six cars, both of which are the same as at The Bend. The Trophy class has two cars for the first time this year.

Announced last week, Volante Rosso’s return with its newly acquired Aston Martin Vantage GT3 means the number of manufacturers in Pro/Am has increased to four, with the British marque joining Mercedes-AMG, Ferrari and Audi.

According to information announced on Saturday, the driving duties of the number 14 car, which was tested by the younger Gardner at Sydney Motorsport Park last week, have been entrusted to Alex Gardner and Ben Porter.

Grove Racing also returns to action after its absence at The Bend with the No. 4 Mercedes-AMG GT3, which will be shared by father-son duo Brenton and Stephen Grove.

However, the No. 88 Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II driven by Steve Brooks and Nick McBride at The Bend and the Wall Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, a one-off entry in the second round of the series, are not participating in the race.

In Am, the Volante Rosso Mercedes-AMGs of Chris Batzios and Ross Poulakis join the team, compensating for the absence of the #44 Tigani Motorsport Audi.

The #222 Porsche 911 GT3 R of Scott Taylor and Paul Morris was the second car to join the #38 KMB Motorsport Aston Martin in the Trophy class of the vintage cars category.

Arise Racing GT Ferrari duo Chaz Mostert and Liam Talbot head into Queensland with a seven-point lead over MPC Audi duo Will Brown and Brad Schumacher in the Pro-Am drivers’ standings.

Jamie Klein He is Sportscar365’s Asia editor. Klein is based in Japan and previously worked for Motorsport Network on Motorsport.com and Autosport titles. He covers the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship and SUPER GT, among other series.