V8 stars set for Highlands Australian GT finale

A selection of V8 Supercars drivers will headline a bumper 29 car field for next month’s Australian GT Championship finale at New Zealand’s Highlands Park circuit.

The Highlands 101 endurance meeting has attracted drivers from Australia’s premier series with Garth Tander, Shane Van Gisbergen, Fabian Coulthard, Dale Wood and Andre Heimgartner set to feature on the grid.

Holden Racing Team star Tander returns to the event alongside series owner Tony Quinn, rekindling a partnership which won last year’s 101 lap endurance in dramatic circumstances.

This year the pair will team up in Quinn’s McLaren 650S, which they shared at this year’s Phillip Island 101 in May.

Tekno Autosport driver and McLaren GT specialist van Gisbergen will also pilot a 650S GT3 alongside former Australian GT champion Klark Quinn.

The Kiwi will bring a wealth of experience to the team having raced for the Von Ryan Racing McLaren outfit in Europe’s Blancpain Endurance Series.

Fellow countryman Coulthard will swap his Brad Jones Racing V8 Supercar for an Audi R8 GT3 as he pairs up with the experienced Peter Fitzgerald.

The New Zealander’s BJR V8 Supercars team-mate, Wood, will join Justin McMillan in the M Motorsport Reiter Camaro.

Meanwhile, Super Black Racing’s Heimgartner completes the V8 Supercars contingent in the Simon Ellingham Fastway Couriers Porsche.

Porsche Carrera Cup ace Craig Baird will also make an appearance at the event in the Scott Taylor Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3R.

Adding an international flavour is two-time Nurburgring 24 hour winner Christopher Haase who will join Steve McLachlan in the Jamec Pem Racing Audi R8.

The 28-year-old factory Audi pilot featured in the Phoenix Racing squad at this year’s Bathurst 12 Hour.

The Highlands 101 will also see Carrera Cup racer and GT driver Roger Lago make his competitive return after suffering a broken leg, fractured ribs and a punctured lung in a crash at Townsville in July.

Following a lengthy recovery period, Lago will team up with David Russell in the Lago Racing Lamborghini REX Gallardo.

Former V8 Supercars driver Cameron McConville will return to action rejoining the Maranello Motorsport alongside Adrian Deitz.

Chris Mies leads the Australian GT Championship by 65 points from Nathan Antunes heading into the final round, which features two 60 minute sprint races followed by the non championship Highlands 101 endurance contest.

Australian GT Highlands Park Entry List