The GT4 Australia season is heating up, with a strong field of 27 cars set to battle it out at the upcoming Shannons SpeedSeries GT Festival Darwin. However, a notable absence from the entry list is the #87 Method Motorsport McLaren Artura driven by Rintoule and Hughes. This duo, who recently secured their first race win at The Bend, is expected to return for the subsequent rounds at Sydney and Sandown.
The absence of Rintoule and Hughes from the Darwin event is a significant loss for the Silver Cup, which they currently lead. Their disqualification from the QR race and subsequent ninth-place finish in the Silver Cup standings highlights the competitive nature of the series. The Silver-Am ranks, on the other hand, are bolstered by the return of two championship-contending Ford Mustangs, driven by Aaron Seton and Jason Gomersall, who will be back on track in the #1 car.
The championship battles are intensifying as the season nears its climax. Reigning champion Tom Hayman and co-driver Jett Murray hold the Silver Cup lead, but the top five is tightly contested, with just 17 points separating them. Cameron McLeod/Mason Harvey, yet to secure their first win, are close behind, sitting just nine points away from the lead. The presence of three Mustangs in the top five suggests that Hidden Valley's 1.1km pit straight may favor the blue oval.
The Silver-Am standings are also hotly contested, with Ryder Quinn comfortably atop the leaderboard. However, the battle for second place is fierce, with just 10 points separating the top five. Tony Quinn and Matt McCutcheon's absence from Darwin means Lachie Evennett/Andrew Torti and Caleb Patterson are poised to make significant gains. The Am Cup is shaping up to be a two-horse race, with the Method Motorsport pair of Chris Lillis/Nathan Callaghan leading by a slender 10 points over Gomersall Motorsport's Glenn Walker.
The GT4 Australia schedule at Monochrome GT4 Australia Track Schedule (ACST) includes practice sessions on Friday, July 24, followed by qualifying and racing on Saturday and Sunday. The on-track action will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, providing fans with an opportunity to witness the thrilling competition firsthand.
In summary, the GT4 Australia season is reaching its climax, with intense championship battles across all three classes. The absence of key contenders adds an extra layer of intrigue, while the return of championship-contending cars and the competitive nature of the series ensure that the action will be thrilling from start to finish.
