Ojeda Welcomes Home GT World Challenge Australia Round

Jayden Ojeda will take hometown advantage into the next round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia this weekend at Sydney Motorsport Park.

After a cameo appearance on the streets of Townsville with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Series (link to previous release), Jayden will return to the wheel of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 that he will share with Ross Poulakis as part of the Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport team this weekend.

The Penrith local is looking forward to returning to a venue he knows well, having started his racing career just over the road at the neighbouring karting venue.

“It’s always a great feeling racing at home,” said Jayden in the lead-up to the Sydney round.

“When I first started go-karting, I spent my first 6 months just practicing every week at Eastern Creek kart track next door to the car circuit. 

“So, for me, Eastern Creek is where my career started and where I’ve had some of my best moments behind the wheel.”

Having now raced in several different categories over his career, Jayden believes the Sydney Motorsport Park layout will suit GT-style racing, 

“Sydney is a unique track. It’s considered to be one of Australia’s more ‘European style’ circuits,” Jayden continued

“With its long flowing undulating corners and high-speed nature, Sydney Motorsport Park perfectly suits all the strengths of a GT3 car.”

“Tyre degradation will be high, and with two 1-hour races scheduled for this round.”

“And we’ll be racing on the new softer compound of tyres, so having a well-balanced car that will be kind on its tyres is going to be important.”

“That said, the team and I had a successful test day last week where we were able to get a taste of what to expect for this weekend.”

Following the successful test, Jayden will aim to use his home track advantage to build upon a strong showing at the previous round at Phillip Island, where he and teammate Ross featured on the podium in just their second competitive outing as co-drivers.

“It’ll be awesome to have heaps of my friend, family and local supporters out at the track to show them into my world of what happens during a race weekend,” said Jayden.

“Hopefully, we can have a good weekend and give them all a reason to celebrate!”

Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia will kick off the program this weekend in Sydney with two 40-minute practice sessions Friday morning before a two-part qualifying session Friday afternoon.

Race 1 will be held Saturday afternoon in the lead-up to Supercars qualifying, while Race 2 will be held Sunday morning.