Triple Eight Super2 young gun Angelo Mouzouris has experienced his first laps behind the wheel of a GT3 car, courtesy of the Banyo squad’s new owner, Tony Quinn.
Mouzouris drove the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 around Phillip Island in a private test ahead of the 2021 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS season-opener which kicks off tomorrow.
While the 19-year-old has experience at the Victorian circuit, it being the place where he wrapped up the 2019 Australian Formula Ford title, the Vantage was a new experience.
“I can’t really thank Tony enough for giving me the opportunity to drive it,” he said.
“[It was] Such a cool experience, especially at Phillip Island.
“It’s so quick compared to what I’ve been in around here; it was definitely an unforgettable experience.”
The drive was also something of a contrast to the VF Commodore Supercar which he normally races in the Dunlop Super2 Series, most recently at Mount Panorama at the end of last month when he took a maiden pole position.
“It was obviously a massive step from, say, Super2,” added Mouzouris.
“[It has] so much aero, and a really good tyre underneath the car, so it was definitely an experience to remember.”
Quinn is a solo driver entry in the Australian GT field this weekend, while Jamie Whincup and Prince Jefri Ibrahim will share Triple Eight Race Engineering’s own Mercedes-AMG GT3 after Shane van Gisbergen was sidelined due to a collarbone injury.
Mouzouris says that he would be keen to race one of those vehicles if the chance comes his way.
“I mean, if the opportunity arises, I would definitely put my hand up for it,” he remarked.
“That was so much fun to drive, so why wouldn’t you?”