As reported by Sportscar365, Tigani Motorsport will field a new and exciting driver partnership for the 2026 GTWC Australia powered by AWS season. Porsche Carrera Cup Australia graduate Oscar Targett will join the team, stepping up to GT3 racing, and will share the No. 66 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with Shane Smollen. The duo will contest the Pro-Am class as part of Tigani’s expanded five-car effort for the season, which includes four Mercedes-AMGs and a Trophy class Porsche.
Targett and Smollen step up to GT3s for 2026 GTWC Australia campaign with Tigani Motorsport
At just 20 years old, Oscar Targett takes the leap into GT3 competition after a successful career in Porsche one-make series. He won the 2024 Porsche Sprint Australia Series and finished 13th overall in Carrera Cup Australia in 2025, securing a single podium finish in a competitive field. Targett also had a stint as a junior driver for Grove Racing in Australian Supercars, though this partnership came to an end at the close of the 2025 season.
Targett is eager to tackle this new challenge in the GT World Challenge Australia and looks forward to the opportunity to race alongside Shane Smollen. Tigani Motorsport’s move to field a full five-car lineup for the season offers an exciting prospect for the young driver to learn and develop in one of the most competitive series in Australian motorsport.
Meanwhile, Shane Smollen, who will share the No. 66 Mercedes-AMG with Targett, is also embarking on his first full season in the GT World Challenge Australia. Smollen made brief appearances in the series in 2025, with one-off outings at Phillip Island and Hampton Downs, but the 2026 season will see him compete in the Pro-Am class full-time.
Smollen’s GT3 experience includes a best finish of fourth at Phillip Island in 2025, where he shared a Porsche with Dorian Boccolacci. He also bagged a top-five finish in New Zealand, partnering with Ant Pedersen in a Mach 1 Engineering Mercedes-AMG. Prior to his GT3 outings, Smollen clinched the 2023 Monochrome GT4 Australia Series title and returned to GT4 for a partial campaign last year, continuing to build his experience in different formats.
Tigani Motorsport’s expanding lineup
Tigani Motorsport has been making waves in the GT World Challenge Australia, and their 2026 season promises to be an exciting one, with an expanded roster of drivers. Alongside Targett and Smollen, the team has already confirmed Brendon Leitch and Sergio Pires as a powerful pairing in the No. 44 Mercedes-AMG GT3. The Koundouris brothers have also been confirmed for the season, rounding out Tigani’s competitive lineup.
Targett and Smollen are scheduled to test the No. 66 Mercedes-AMG at Phillip Island next week ahead of the season opener at the same track from March 27-29, 2026. The team is aiming to hit the ground running as they prepare to battle for the top spots in the Pro-Am class and beyond.
