Tigani Motorsport to Field Four Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs for 2026 GT World Challenge Australia
Tigani Motorsport has confirmed its entry into the 2026 GT World Challenge Australia, fielding four Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVOs in its inaugural season as an official customer racing partner for the German manufacturer in Australia.
In the Pro-Am category, the team will feature Sergio Pires and Brendon Leitch in the #44 entry, Shane Smollen and Oscar Targett in the #56, while Paul Lucchitti and Jayden Ojeda will drive the #66 AMG GT3 EVO. The Am category will see brothers James and Theo Koundouris share the #47 Supabarn-backed AMG GT3 EVO for a third consecutive season.
Notably, Leitch joins from Melbourne Performance Centre, where he had two successful seasons despite the tragic passing of his co-driver Tim Miles last year. “I’m extremely happy to be back. It’s a fantastic championship, and I’m returning with a strong team and co-driver, which makes it even more exciting,” said Leitch.
Shane Smollen, the 2024 GT4 Australia Pro-Am champion, will undertake his first full season in GT World Challenge Australia after making selected appearances last year. Tigani Motorsport finished third in the Pro-Am and Am championships in the previous season and secured a race victory with Ojeda and Lucchitti, who placed third in the Pro-Am drivers’ standings.
Additionally, a 991-spec Porsche 911 GT3 R will join the Mercedes line-up, driven by Nathan Halstead and 2017 Bathurst 1000 winner Luke Youlden, who aims for success in the Trophy class. “We go into this season looking to win the class. The car may be older, but it will perform closely with newer models,” Youlden noted.
The 2026 season kicks off at the GT Festival Phillip Island on March 27-29, 2026.
