RAM Motorsport Extend Lead in Queensland
RAM Motorsport’s Michael Sheargold and Garth Walden continued to build their GT World Challenge Australia AM Class lead with a successful weekend at Queensland Raceway.
Enjoying the sunshine, the pairing collected more trophies with a race win and a third place over the two-hour-long races at the race track affectionately known as the paper clip, just outside of Ipswich.
The weekend started strong, with Sheargold qualifying fourth fastest in his session, just two-tenths off the pole time. In the second session, Walden was the class of the AM field, setting the fastest time and securing pole position.
Race 1 was interrupted by several Safety Car periods, which mixed up the order quite a bit. But the RAM Motorsport duo were able to keep out of the carnage and secure third in class.
“It was a very good weekend at Queensland Raceway. I think we were probably unlucky not to even have a better weekend,” said Sheargold.
“We managed to stay out of the carnage in Race 1, but the safety cars played into the hands of some of our competitors and really brought them back into the race.”
“Whereas, if the race had stayed clean, we were probably on for an even better result.”
“But to still get third was a very good result, and I made a good step forward with my driving to have a good tussle for that third position.“
Race 2 was a little less chaotic. Sheargold drove the first stint, setting up the race, then a mega stint from Walden in the second half of the hour-long race secured the win for the RAM Motorsport duo.
“The car was really good in practice and qualifying,” said Walden.
“In Race 1, it wasn’t very nice to drive; in fact, it was a bit of a handful. But the team did a really good job of looking into the data and tuning it up for Race 2.”
“We had a much nicer car for the second race, and that enabled me to really push in my stint and make my way through the field.”
“Fantastic work from the whole GWR crew to set the car up for race two and enable us to take the class win.”
Another highlight of the weekend's racing in sunny Queensland was the grid walk, where fans and family were able to be out on the grid with the race cars just before Sunday’s Race 2.
“It was cool to have the grid walk, to see the people amongst the cars, to get up close and have a look,” said Sheargold.
“And personally, it was cool to be able to take a snap in front of the car on the grid with the family.”
The strong weekend in Queensland ensured that the RAM Motorsport drivers extended their lead at the top of the AM Class points standings with two rounds remaining in the 2024 championship.
“We came into the weekend with a one-point lead, so to be able to extend that margin to eleven is definitely a positive. But there are still four races to go, and anything can happen,” mentioned Sheargold, after the event.
“The guys in second place are consistent and strong. I’m really enjoying racing them and the contest.”
“We’ll keep pressing on and seeing it we can’t pick up another point of two buffer at the next one.”
The team will now prepare for the next GT World Challenge Australia round at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, August 23-25.
As always, Michael would like to extend his thanks to all of RAM Motorsport’s partners and supporters, including Oilstar Racing Brake Fluid, Jayco Sydney, Royal Purple, Quest Apartments, Dexion Victoria, Alex Bryden Architecture, Ready Set Redline, Omologato Watches, Purfit covers and a special mention to new sponsor Kase Building & Restoration Group.