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RAM Motorsport Mercedes completes shakedown prior to Sandown
After missing the Queensland Raceway round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS, RAM Motorsport will make its return to the grid to bolster the Mercedes-AMG numbers at Sandown.
Missing the previous round enabled the entry’s preparer GWR Australia to complete a thorough rebuild ahead of a busy conclusion to the season.
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It also ensures another competitive Am Class pairing is back in the contest in the form of Michael Sheargold and Garth Walden.
For Sheargold, he can’t wait to return to the track after viewing the action at Queensland Raceway on Stan Sport.
“I did watch it and there was a bit of itchy feet sitting on the couch watching everybody come round two-by-two just as the lights are about to go out,” he said.
“We still tested because right up until the last minute we were pulling out all stops to get there, so I took out the old Cup Car up there to give me an idea of how the track went and watching it showed what could have been.”
Sheargold will likewise enter Sandown with limited prior knowledge and is excited for the challenge the historic venue provides.
“It’ll be another learning curve,” Sheargold explained.
“I’ve been doing a bit of sim work and there hasn’t been a lot GT racing at Sandown in the last few years and I’ve noticed the aggressive kerbs, which won’t suit our cars a lot. Practice we’ll be feeling it out and figuring out where to take the kerbs through the esses.”
Also, today was the first opportunity for Sheargold to jump in the Mercedes since mid-year and comes at a crucial time due to the run of events coming up.
“Well, there’s Sandown, The Bend, Bathurst and Adelaide in quick fire succession,” Sheargold stated. “I haven’t been in that car since Bathurst due to it being in pieces. If we made it to QR, it would have been a real rush with stuff being bolted on from the AMG truck.
“GWR Australia has been able to take its time and Garth’s very happy the job the mechanics have done and he’s watched them with all the one percenters being done.
“We want to hit the ground running at Sandown, with the quick fire finish to the year it’ll be good to get some consistent in terms of driving and competing in the car in the back half of the season.”
The Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS continues its season as part of the SpeedSeries at Sandown on September 16-18 featuring live, uninterrupted and on-demand coverage on Stan Sport.