The IRC GT has been put through its paces at Queensland Raceway, as multiple national champions sampled the PACE Innovations designed and built car for the first time.
The PACE team were also on hand as an endurance kit was tested in preparation for the car’s maiden tilt at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour in 2024. The IRC GT completed a faultless day amid hot track conditions, receiving glowing reviews all around from the drivers in attendance.
Three-time Australian GT Champion, and 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup Pro-Am Champion, Geoff Emery was one of the drivers to get behind the wheel of the IRC GT for the first time.
“I really enjoyed driving the IRC GT,” said Emery.
“I thought the whole car was a very easy car for an Am to drive, very intuitive and plenty of high speed stability. The ABS braking system in particular was exceptional.
“The car felt quite raw in the way it handles, providing a lot of feedback to the driver in comparison to a GT car. All great assets to a race car,” concluded Emery.
2021 Dunlop Super3 winner Nash Morris got his first laps in the IRC GT, as he prepares to steer the car in his first Bathurst 12 Hour.
“First impressions, the IRC GT is a really well built Australian car,” said Morris.
“It’s got all the feel and raw power of a Supercar, with the aids of a GT car. It’s great for getting up to speed quite quickly, and you can afford to push the limits as it’s not going to bite you.
“I felt good with the car, hopefully we get another test before the 12 Hour to test out all the procedures, thinks like the fuel rig and all that.
It’s going to be pretty cool, last time Paul Tracy was out here I wasn’t even racing, so I didn’t even know who he was, but turns out he’s a pretty badass racer. Teaming up with him and Danny (Stutterd), who’s an amazing Pro-Am driver, is going to be a lot of fun” concluded Morris.
Also behind the wheel was 2022 Porsche Sprint Challenge Pro-Am Champion Brett Boulton, and stalwart of GT and Carrera Cup racing Max Twigg.
“The IRC GT is beautifully built and presented,” said Boulton.
“It was raw, responsive and fun to drive. It’s certainly an impressive car and something to follow closely in the future,” concluded Boulton.
“I was fortunate enough to have had a chance to drive the new IRC GT, said Twigg.
“I’ve driven many cars over the years but I don’t recall driving a more exciting, competent car that gives the drivers confidence to push.
“I felt safe to explore its boundaries particularly under braking and corner exit. I think it’s a car that will give the driver very few unexpected moments, I enjoyed it a great deal,” concluded Twigg.
The IRC GT takes on the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour from February 16-18, being run by TekworkX Motorsport, with Paul Tracy, Nash Morris and Danny Stutterd.
