A SERIES-FIRST Top 10 shootout with a twist will set the grid and a Pirelli Pole Award for the fifth round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS at Queensland Raceway. 

In a first for the series in Australia, the single-car shootout will form a highlight of a bumper Shannons SpeedSeries program at the Ipswich Circuit this August 11-13. 

The entries in the shootout will be the fastest ten cars from Qualifying 2, with the times in that session set by the nominated Pro driver in each entry. 

However, the Shootout – to be held on Sunday morning – will be exclusively contested by the nominated Am driver in each car. 

The format is designed to give the semi-professional drivers a rare chance to experience a single-lap shootout – a process usually reserved only for Professional drivers. 

That shootout will determine the grid for the second of two, one-hour races to be held at Queensland Raceway that weekend. Qualifying 1 will set the grid for race one as per normal conditions. 

The shootout and both races at Queensland Raceway will be broadcast live, ad-break free and then on-demand on Stan Sport.

Audi (4 pole positions) and Mercedes-AMG (2) have dominated this year’s Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Pirelli Pole Award count.

Liam Talbot has scored two poles for Audi to date this year, with one each for Max Hofer and Geoff Emery. 

Pro drivers Broc Feeney and Jayden Ojeda have split the poles for Mercedes-AMG so far this year. 

Before heading to Queensland, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS will head to Sydney Motorsport Park for round 4 of the championship on July 28-30.

Ben McMellan – ARG Head of Category Operations

“Top 10 Shootouts are a fantastic tradition in our sport and there’s no difference when contested by GT cars. 

“The difference here is that we’ll be giving the Amateur drivers a chance to strut their stuff while the pros sit and watch from the sidelines. 

“It’s the reverse of the norm, but we felt it a great opportunity to give the Am’s a chance to experience something they usually have to watch. 

“It’s something different in Fanatec GT World Challenge competition and we’re looking forward to the show at Queensland Raceway this August.”