GT World Challenge Asia Heads to Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit
This weekend, the GT World Challenge Asia series arrives at the Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit in Indonesia for Rounds 3 and 4. Featuring 22 entries, the event marks a significant homecoming for local talent Sean Gelael.
Gelael, a seasoned competitor with five FIA World Endurance Championship wins and two LMP2 championship runner-up finishes, will pilot the Garage 75 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. Notably, the car will race under number 50, a departure from its usual number 75, aligning with Gelael’s entry in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
Significant driver changes are noted across several teams. In Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific’s lineup, Klaus Bachler joins Vutthikorn Inthraphuvasak in the #918 Absolute Racing 911 GT3 R. Meanwhile, at Phantom Global Racing, Loek Hartog will compete in the #37 Porsche alongside Anthony Liu Xu.
Additionally, Hiroaki Nagai’s team has enlisted former Toyota factory driver Yuichi Nakayama to replace Kazuto Kotaka in the #18 Porsche, as Kotaka is scheduled for the SUPER GT Fuji 3 Hour Race. Similarly, Team 5Zigen has secured Kimiya Sato to take over the #500 Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 following Atsushi Miyake’s scheduling conflict.
In light of further event clashes with IMSA at Laguna Seca, Team KRC has substituted Neil Verhagen with Jesse Krohn in the #89 BMW M4 GT3 EVO.
The stage is set for competitive racing as the GT World Challenge Asia unfolds in Indonesia, with Gelael’s performance drawing particular attention in front of his home crowd.
