A strong test at Winton last week has given Moveitnet/C-Tech Laser/Local Roadways/Bryant & Bryant Mercedes-AMG GT3 driver Tony Bates good reason to be confident ahead of this weekend’s fourth round of the Australian GT Championship at the Watpac Townsville 400.
Bates said the test was an opportunity to reacquaint himself with the GT car, and find a suitable setup for the Townsville street track.
“Winton is a very technical track with lots of direction changes and a good variety of corners, so it’s quite similar to Townsville in a lot of ways,” Bates said.
“The car behaved superbly all day so we’re confident it will be a good package for the Reid Park circuit.”
Bates already has experience in a GT car at the Townsville facility, having raced in the corresponding event last year.
“I raced in Townsville last year in the Audi, and we finished on the podium – I’ve also raced there in Development Series and Carrera Cup, so it’s a track I know well,” Bates said.
The GT Championship is shaping up to be a hotly-contested fight to the finish, with just 74 points separating the top six drivers in the standings with two rounds remaining.
“It’s still anyone’s game, and it’s important for us to score a good bundle of points this weekend,” Bates said.
This weekend’s race format consists of a trio of three 40-minute races, the same format as the season opener at the Clipsal 500 in which Bates was victorious.
Round 4 Schedule
Friday, 7 July
11:05 – Practice (20 min)
Saturday, 8 July
8:30 – Qualifying 1 (20 min)
10:25 – Qualifying 2 (20 min)
14:00 – Race 1 (40 min)
Sunday, 9 July
9:30 – Race 2 (40 min)
13:55 – Race 3 (40 min)
