Broc Feeney and Brad Schumacher continue to lead the 2026 GT World Challenge (GTWC) Australia powered by AWS Pro-Am standings after Round 2 at The Bend. However, their advantage has narrowed significantly after another dramatic weekend of racing.
The reigning champions sit on 60 points, only two points ahead of Jayden Ojeda and Paul Lucchitti, who moved firmly into title contention with victory in Race 2. Meanwhile, Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte remain third on 53 points, ensuring the top three crews remain separated by only seven points after two rounds.
As a result, the championship battle has quickly developed into a tight fight between Team MPC, Tigani Motorsport, and ARGT, with several other crews still close enough to influence the early title picture.
Tigani Motorsport sets the tone at The Bend
Tigani Motorsport started Round 2 with strong pace across Practice and Qualifying. The team locked out the top three in Practice 1, led by Oscar Targett and Shane Smollen in the Kollosche AMG by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3.
However, Audi responded later on Friday. Mark Rosser topped Bronze Practice for Castrol Team BRM, before Thomas Randle delivered a late flyer in Practice 2 to put the Castrol Team BRM Audi R8 LMS EVO II fastest overall. That lap underlined Team BRM’s strength before qualifying and set up a competitive weekend between Audi and Mercedes-AMG machinery.
In qualifying, Tigani Motorsport regained control. Ojeda claimed pole for Race 1 in the Move My Wheels by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3, while Sergio Pires completed the team’s qualifying double by taking pole for Race 2 in the Geyer Valmont Racing by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Race 1 victory brings Leitch and Pires into contention
Brendon Leitch and Sergio Pires made the most of their front-row opportunity in Race 1. Pires started from pole and controlled the opening stint, keeping Schumacher behind him before the reigning champion ran wide and dropped down the order.
That mistake gave Pires breathing room before the pit stop window. He then handed the Geyer Valmont Racing by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 to Leitch with a comfortable advantage.
Although Randle reduced the gap in the second stint, Leitch stayed composed and secured a lights-to-flag victory. Randle and Rosser finished second for Castrol Team BRM, while Evans and Schutte completed the podium for ARGT.
The win proved crucial for Leitch and Pires. They now sit fifth in the Pro-Am standings on 45 points, only 15 points behind Feeney and Schumacher. Therefore, their strong Bend weekend has brought them firmly into the early championship conversation.
Ojeda and Lucchitti close the gap with Race 2 win
While Leitch and Pires dominated Race 1, Race 2 belonged to Ojeda and Lucchitti. Ojeda started from pole and immediately took control in the Move My Wheels by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Behind him, Leitch and Feeney kept close, but neither driver found a way through before the pit stop window. Ojeda then handed over to Lucchitti, who emerged in the lead ahead of Schumacher.
From there, Lucchitti faced sustained pressure. Schumacher reduced the gap and stayed within striking distance during the final phase of the race. However, Lucchitti defended strongly and refused to give the reigning champion a clear opportunity.
Ojeda and Lucchitti crossed the line first and became the first crew to win two GTWC Australia races in 2026. More importantly, the victory moved them to 58 points, just two points behind Feeney and Schumacher in the Pro-Am standings.
Consistency keeps Feeney and Schumacher ahead
Although Feeney and Schumacher did not win at The Bend, they still protected their championship lead. Their second-place finish in Race 2 proved especially important after they placed fourth in Race 1.
The pair now lead on 60 points, but their advantage has become fragile. Ojeda and Lucchitti sit only two points behind, while Evans and Schutte remain close on 53 points after another consistent weekend.
Further back, Randle and Rosser have moved into fourth with 50 points after finishing second in Race 1 and third in Race 2. Their podium double gives Castrol Team BRM a strong platform heading into the next round.
Meanwhile, Leitch and Pires hold fifth on 45 points after their Race 1 victory, with Ryan Wood and Steve Brooks close behind on 43 points.
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 2: Pro-Am Drivers
- Broc Feeney (Pro) & Brad Schumacher (Am) – 60
- Jayden Ojeda (Pro) & Paul Lucchitti (Am) – 58
- Jaxon Evans (Pro) & Elliott Schutte (Am) – 53
- Thomas Randle (Pro) & Mark Rosser (Am) – 50
- Brendon Leitch (Pro) & Sergio Pires (Am) – 45
- Ryan Wood (Pro) & Steve Brooks (Am) – 43
- Oscar Targett (Pro) & Shane Smollen (Am) – 28
- Valentino Astuti (Pro) & Darren Currie (Am) – 20
- Will Davidson (Pro) & Renee Gracie (Am) – 16
- Josh Buchan (Pro) & Cameron Campbell (Am) – 12
- Antonio D’Albero (Pro) & Adrian Deitz (Am) – 10
- Josh Hunt (Pro) & Geoff Emery (Am) – 9
- Garnet Patterson (Pro) & JP Drake (Am) – 4
Not Classified:
- Jordan Love
- Steve Wyatt
- Alex Peroni
Trophy Class battle swings towards Stoupas and Stokell
In the Trophy Class, Mathey Stoupas and Paul Stokell produced the standout performance of Round 2. The KFC / Team MPC Audi R8 LMS EVO II pairing won the class in both races at The Bend and moved to the top of the standings.
They now lead with 85 points, ahead of Alex Gardner on 77. Nathan Halstead and Luke Youlden sit third on 59 points after adding another podium finish in Race 2.
Lee Stibbs remains fourth on 44 points, while Ben Porter has entered the standings with 33 points after a strong weekend alongside Gardner for Volante Rosso Motorsport.
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 2: Trophy Drivers
- Mathey Stoupas & Paul Stokell – 85
- Alex Gardner – 77
- Nathan Halstead & Luke Youlden – 59
- Lee Stibbs – 44
- Ben Porter – 33
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 2: Am Drivers
Not Classified:
- James Koundouris
- Theo Koundouris
Targett extends SRO GT Academy lead
Oscar Targett continues to lead the SRO GT Academy standings convincingly. Although he and Shane Smollen had a difficult Race 1 after an early drive-through penalty, Targett still finished as the leading Academy driver.
After Round 2, Targett leads on 144 points. Valentino Astuti follows on 108, while Alex Gardner sits third on 84.
Targett’s advantage now stands at 36 points, giving him control of the Academy battle as the fight for the fully funded 2027 CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa seat continues.
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 2: SRO GT Academy Drivers
- Oscar Targett (Pro) – 144
- Valentino Astuti (Pro) – 108
- Alex Gardner (Pro) – 84
Tigani Motorsport strengthens Teams Championship lead
Tigani Motorsport has also taken firm control of the Overall Teams Championship. The team’s strength across its Mercedes-AMG GT3 entries helped it reach 96 points after Round 2.
Melbourne Performance Centre sits second on 68 points, while Team BRM follows closely on 63. ARGT remains fourth on 57 after another solid weekend from Evans and Schutte.
Behind them, Volante Rosso Motorsport holds 30 points, while Zagame Autosport and Wall Racing sit level on 28. OnlyFans Racing completes the order with 24 points after Will Davison and Renee Gracie added more points at The Bend.
2026 GTWC Australia: Standings after Round 2: Overall Teams Championship
- Tigani Motorsport – 96
- Melbourne Performance Centre – 68
- Team BRM – 63
- ARGT – 57
- Zagame Autosport – 28
- Wall Racing – 28
- Volante Rosso Motorsport – 30
- OnlyFans Racing – 24
Championship battle tightens after The Bend
After Round 2 at The Bend, the 2026 GTWC Australia championship battle has tightened significantly. Feeney and Schumacher still lead the Pro-Am standings, but Ojeda and Lucchitti have reduced the gap to just two points after becoming the first repeat winners of the season.
Meanwhile, Evans and Schutte remain firmly in contention, while Randle and Rosser have strengthened their position with a double podium at The Bend. Leitch and Pires have also forced their way into the early title conversation after their commanding Race 1 victory.
With Tigani Motorsport gaining momentum and the reigning champions now under pressure, consistency will prove just as important as outright pace. As the season continues, strategy, execution, and discipline will decide who emerges as the strongest challenger in an increasingly competitive title fight.
