Broc Feeney and Brad Schumacher have taken an early lead in the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Australia powered by AWS Pro-Am standings after a dramatic opening round at Phillip Island. However, their advantage remains slim following two highly competitive and incident-filled races.
The defending champions sit on 30 points, just ahead of Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte on 28, while Race 2 winners Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti hold third place with 26 points. As a result, the top three crews remain separated by only four points, underlining the intensity of the early title fight.
Race 1 victory lays foundation for Championship lead
Feeney and Schumacher built their championship lead with victory in Race 1, where they converted pole position into a hard-fought win. Schumacher controlled the opening stint despite an early Safety Car triggered by contact involving Lucchitti and Renee Gracie.
Once the race resumed, Schumacher maintained track position before handing over to Feeney. Although Oscar Targett applied sustained pressure in the closing stages, Feeney held firm and secured the win by less than a second.
Meanwhile, Thomas Randle and Mark Rosser completed the podium, finishing just behind Targett. However, a post-race penalty for contact between Schutte and Rosser dropped Evans and Schutte down to fifth, limiting their points haul despite strong pace.
Race 2 triumph brings Ojeda and Lucchitti into contention
In contrast, Race 2 belonged to Ojeda and Lucchitti, who executed a faultless performance from pole position. Ojeda built a lead of more than five seconds during his stint before the pit window, placing the team in a commanding position.
Although multiple Safety Cars erased that advantage, Lucchitti remained composed during each restart. Furthermore, a decisive moment came on the final lap when contact between Rosser and Sergio Pires eliminated a key challenger.
Ojeda and Lucchitti capitalised fully, taking victory and moving into third in the standings, just four points off the lead.
Penalties and strategy shape the early order
While outright pace proved important, strategy and penalties significantly influenced the standings. In Race 2, Feeney and Schumacher attempted an aggressive tyre strategy during the pit stop, which allowed Schumacher to climb back through the field.
However, contact with Shane Smollen resulted in a 15-second post-race penalty, dropping them down the final order. Consequently, they missed an opportunity to extend their championship lead. Similarly, Rosser and Randle lost valuable points after receiving a 40-second penalty for their final-lap collision with Pires. They now sit sixth in the standings on 17 points, just behind Oscar Targett and Shane Smollen on 18.
Just behind the leading trio, Ryan Wood and Steve Brooks hold fourth place on 23 points after a consistent weekend, including inheriting a podium finish in Race 2.
Further back, Valentino Astuti and Darren Currie (16 points) and Brendon Leitch and Sergio Pires (13 points) remain within striking distance. Meanwhile, Josh Buchan and Cameron Campbell sit ninth with 11 points after benefiting from penalties in Race 2.
Notably, several crews—including Josh Hunt and Geoff Emery, as well as Antonio D’Albero and Adrian Deitz—share 10th place on eight points, highlighting how closely contested the midfield remains.
Trophy Class and SRO GT Academy battles take shape
In the Trophy Class, Alex Gardner and Lee Stibbs lead the standings with 44 points. Their consistent performance across both races, including being the only finishers in Race 2, proved decisive.
They hold a 10-point advantage over Mathey Stoupas and Paul Stokell, while Nathan Halstead and Luke Youlden sit third on 25 points after dominating Race 1 but failing to finish Race 2.
Meanwhile, in the SRO GT Academy standings, Oscar Targett leads convincingly on 72 points. Valentino Astuti follows on 54, with Gardner third on 42, reflecting strong performances across multiple categories.
Teams Championship reflects early consistency
In the Teams Championship, Tigani Motorsport leads with 44 points after strong results across both races. Melbourne Performance Centre sits second on 38, while Team BRM and ARGT are tied for third on 30 points.
Volante Rosso Motorsport, Zagame Motorsport, Wall Racing, and OnlyFans Racing complete the order, each benefiting from moments of promise during a chaotic opening round.
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 1: Pro-Am Drivers
- Broc Feeney (Pro) & Brad Schumacher (Am) – 30
- Jaxon Evans (Pro) & Elliott Schutte (Am) – 28
- Jayden Ojeda (Pro) & Paul Lucchitti (Am) – 26
- Ryan Wood (Pro) & Steve Brooks (Am) – 23
- Oscar Targett (Pro) & Shane Smollen (Am) – 18
- Thomas Randle (Pro) & Mark Rosser (Am) – 17
- Valentino Astuti (Pro) & Darren Currie (Am) – 16
- Brendon Leitch (Pro) & Sergio Pires (Am) – 13
- Josh Buchan (Pro) & Cameron Campbell (Am) – 11
- Josh Hunt (Pro) & Geoff Emery (Am) – 8
- Antonio D’Albero (Pro) & Adrian Deitz (Am) – 8
- Will Davidson (Pro) & Renee Gracie (Am) – 6
Not Classified:
- Jordan Love
- Steve Wyatt
- Alex Peroni
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 1: Am Drivers
Not Classified:
- James Koundouris
- Theo Koundouris
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 1: Trophy Drivers
- Alex Gardner & Lee Stibbs – 44
- Mathey Stoupas & Paul Stokell – 34
- Nathan Halstead & Luke Youlden – 25
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 1: SRO GT Academy Drivers
- Oscar Targett (Pro) – 72
- Valentino Astuti (Pro) – 54
- Alex Gardner (Pro) – 42
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 1: Overall Teams Championship
- Tigani Motorsport – 44
- Melbourne Performance Centre – 38
- Team BRM – 30
- ARGT – 30
- Volante Rosso Motorsport – 16
- Zagame Motorsport – 14
- Wall Racing – 12
- OnlyFans Racing – 10
Championship poised for intense battle
After Phillip Island, the championship picture remains finely balanced. Although Feeney and Schumacher lead the standings, their margin is minimal, and momentum currently sits with Ojeda and Lucchitti following their Race 2 victory. With Evans and Schutte also firmly in contention, the battle for the 2026 title has already taken shape as a multi-car fight.
As the series heads to Shell V-Power Motorsport Park for the next round, the combination of pace, strategy, and discipline will continue to define who emerges as the early championship favourite.
