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Perth-based Arise GT has brought to Australia two of the 296 GT3s, which have now had over 100 laps put through them at Wanneroo Raceway over two days.
Jaxon Evans, Liam Talbot, and Elliott Schutte all enjoyed seat time, with Chaz Mostert, the team’s other driver, set to get behind the wheel at Wanneroo in another test soon.
The shakedown, however, is said to have gone flawlessly.
“They were really good days,” said team manager Jordan Oon.
“The cars are complex in the systems and the data you can get. It was more about us learning them and utilising all of what they have to offer.
“It was also a chance to teach the drivers what they need to be looking for and how to analyse all of the data off-track.”
The 296s landed in Australia a fortnight ago and, after their final test at Wanneroo, will be sent across the continent for a test at Phillip Island, before Round 1 of the season at the Victorian circuit on April 12-14.
“It was a little surreal watching them roll out,” added Oon.
“They kind of look a little out of place at Wanneroo. It’s not exactly a traditional track for sportscars. But the team was focused on what we had to do.
“We didn’t take much time to step back to soak it in, but it was good to get them on track and bank miles so we know what we are working with.”
Helpfully for Arise, there is plenty of GT3 experience in the team, with Evans finishing fourth in last month’s Bathurst 12 Hour, Talbot the 2023 GT World Challenge Australia Pro-Am champion, and Mostert a pole-sitter in the Bathurst 12 Hour.
“Feedback from the drivers has been really positive,” said Oon.
“They’ve all said that it’s a completely refined package from other GT3 cars that they have driven in the past.”
Both Mostert and Evans will be in action in Supercars at the MSS Melbourne SuperSprint at next week’s Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, before switching to GT mode for the Phillip Island SpeedSeries event in April.
