Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti became the first team to win two GT World Challenge (GTWC) Australia powered by AWS races in 2026 after claiming Race 2 at The Bend.
Behind the wheel of the Move My Wheels by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3, Ojeda and Lucchitti delivered impressive stints to complete a lights-to-flag victory in Sunday’s final race of Round 2. They finished ahead of reigning champions Broc Feeney and Brad Schumacher, who brought the #1 Kelso Electrical / Team MPC Audi R8 LMS EVO II home in second place.
Thomas Randle and Mark Rosser completed the podium for Castrol Team BRM in another Audi R8 LMS EVO II.
2026 GTWC Australia: Round 2: Tailem Bend: Race 2: Ojeda and Lucchitti control the race from the front
Ojeda made a strong start from pole and immediately took control of the race in the #66 Move My Wheels by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3. He led yesterday’s winner Brendon Leitch in the Geyer Valmont Racing by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3, while Feeney settled into third during the opening laps.
Behind them, Randle remained close in fourth as the front group quickly found its rhythm.
The biggest drama of the race came on the opening lap. Garnet Patterson’s Team BRM Audi R8 LMS EVO II made contact with teammate Ryan Wood in the Team BRM / Wolfbrook Motorsport Audi R8 LMS EVO II, after Wood had gained two places off the line.
The contact turned Patterson around and dropped him down the order. He was eventually forced into pit lane, while Wood fell behind Randle into fourth. However, Wood remained ahead of Oscar Targett in the #56 Kollosche AMG by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Despite that early incident, the rest of the field made a clean getaway. Ojeda then controlled the first stint, with Leitch and Feeney unable to find a way through before the pit stop window.
By the time the Pro drivers handed over, the top five remained unchanged.
Lucchitti holds firm under Schumacher pressure
After the pit stops, Lucchitti emerged with the lead Ojeda had built for him. Schumacher took over the #1 Kelso Electrical / Team MPC Audi in second place, while Steve Brooks moved into third in the Team BRM / Wolfbrook Motorsport Audi.
Shane Smollen also gained ground during the pit cycle, sneaking ahead of Rosser in pit lane to slot into fourth place.
However, Rosser quickly responded. The South Australian applied relentless pressure and soon passed Smollen after returning to the track. He then continued his charge and made his way past Brooks to move into the final podium position.
At the front, Schumacher began closing the gap to Lucchitti. After emerging a few seconds behind, the reigning champion reduced the margin and got within striking distance during the final 10 minutes.
However, Lucchitti defended strongly in the #66 Mercedes-AMG GT3. Schumacher stayed within one second for much of the closing phase, but he never had a clear opportunity to take the lead.
Lucchitti held firm and brought the car home to complete a lights-to-flag victory for himself and Ojeda.
Rosser crossed the line in third, almost 20 seconds behind the front two, while Brooks finished a couple of seconds further back in fourth.
Schutte steals fifth on the final lap
Although Smollen looked set to complete the top five, ARGT’s Elliott Schutte produced a late move in the Ferrari 296 GT3.
On the final lap, Schutte found a way past Smollen to take fifth place and secure valuable points for himself and teammate Jaxon Evans.
Smollen and Oscar Targett therefore had to settle for sixth in the Kollosche AMG by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 after running strongly for much of the race.
Stoupas and Stokell complete Trophy Cup sweep
In the Trophy Cup, Matthew Stoupas and Paul Stokell completed a perfect weekend at The Bend.
The KFC / Team MPC Audi R8 LMS EVO II pairing took their second class victory of the round after another controlled performance in Race 2.
Alex Gardner and Ben Porter finished second in class for Volante Rosso Motorsport, ending the race a few seconds behind the Trophy Cup winners.
Luke Youlden and Nathan Halstead completed the Trophy Cup podium in third. They finished more than one minute clear of the next car behind, securing another strong class result to close out the weekend.
Ojeda and Lucchitti make 2026 statement at The Bend
With victory in Race 2, Ojeda and Lucchitti became the first repeat winners of the 2026 GTWC Australia powered by AWS season.
Their result also gave Tigani Motorsport another major success at The Bend, following the team’s strong performances across both races of Round 2.
