GT World Challenge Asia Set for Debut at Mandalika Circuit
The GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS ascends to the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit this weekend, marking the series’ inaugural visit to the coastal venue following a previous cancellation in 2020.
A competitive field of 34 cars will participate in the doubleheader, one of the largest grids of the season, with notable entries including the #18 Porsche 911 GT3 R from Porsche Center Okazaki and Absolute Corse’s #19 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2.
The #18 entry features Hiroaki Nagai, a past SRO Japan Cup Champion, alongside Kazuto Kotaka, a factory driver from Toyota Gazoo Racing. Returning to the series, Tsubasa Kondo will also race the #25 Porsche that competed at Sepang.
In the Lamborghini, Edoardo Mortara, a Squadra Corse factory driver, will partner with Indonesian Bronze driver Andrea Anatra. Absolute Corse will also field a #98 Ferrari 296 GT3, with DTM podium finisher Theirry Vermeulen teaming up with Anderson Tanoto.
A significant highlight is the debut of Giancarlo Fisichella, a veteran of Formula 1 with three Grand Prix wins and two 24 Hours of Le Mans class victories. He will race the #60 LM Corsa Ferrari 296 GT3, co-driving with Shigekazu Wakisaka in the Pro-Am class, ahead of their planned entry into the Suzuka 1000km in September.
Driver changes abound this weekend as Alexander Sims returns to team up with Corvette Racing in the #99 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Ben Green replaces him under the Corvette banner.
Further adjustments include a series of Porsche driver swaps, such as Alessio Picariello taking over from Bastian Buus in the #4 Origine Motorsport GT3 R and Harry King substituting for Patrick Pilet in the #911 Absolute Racing GT3 R. EBM has also modified its lineup, with Daan Arrow, last year’s GT World Europe Endurance Silver Cup champion, stepping into the #33 Porsche.
As anticipation builds for this weekend’s events, teams and drivers are prepared for a thrilling showcase at Mandalika.
