RAM Motorsport Shakes Phillip Island Hoodoo
RAM Motorsport has shaken its Phillip Island hoodoo with its best GT World Challenge Australia round result to date.
Returning to the iconic Victorian venue for the second time in 2024, consistency was the goal heading into the race weekend, and that’s exactly what drivers Michael Sheargold and Garth Walden delivered. Taking a win and second place in the Am-Class over the two races.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing over the weekend. After qualifying, the team had a lot of work to do to improve the drivability of their Mercedes AMG GT3.
“The car wasn’t very nice to drive in qualifying; it had heaps of understeer, meaning we couldn't extract the pace from the car we had in practice,” said Walden.
“The RAM Motorsport/GWR crew did a great job to make a bunch of changes to dial out the issue and leave us with a comfortable race car with good race pace for the rest of the weekend.”
However, Walden was able to drive around the issues to bank a lap in qualifying to secure the Am-Class pole for Race 1 of the weekend.
The RAM Motorsport duo led the class early but lost a position in the pit-stop cycle. Finishing the opening race of the weekend second in class and eighth overall.
Starting a little further down the order in Race 2, good strategy and a couple of timely appearances by the Safety Car enabled the RAM Motorsport pairing to make their way forward, moving into the class lead on Lap 26 before taking the victory.
“Certainly dusted off our Phillip Island Hoodoo,” said Sheargold after the weekend.
“In fact, I think that was our best full weekend as a driver paring since joining GT World Challenge.”
“A second and a win was a great result for the team.”
Reflecting on the weekend, Sheargold was impressed with the first-ever standalone event for SRO in Australia.
“Hats off to SRO for their first promoted event in Australia,” Sheargold continued.
“Lots of activations and lots of spectators. It’s great for the category, sponsors and the organisation.”
The team now have a little bit of a break before the next round at their home track, Sydney Motorsport Park, October 18-21.
As always, Michael would like to extend his thanks to all of RAM Motorsport’s partners and supporters, including Oilstar Racing Brake Fluid, Royal Purple, Quest Apartments, Dexion Victoria, Alex Bryden Architecture, Ready Set Redline, Omologato Watches, Purfit covers and Kase Building & Restoration Group.
