Sydney Motorsport Park is a special place for Tigani Motorsport’s Jayden Ojeda as it represents not only his home circuit, but where his career journey started.
Ojeda now leads the Mercedes-AMG hopes in GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS in the Realta-backed Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo prepared by Tigani Motorsport by the fast improving Paul Lucchitti.
The duo won last year’s three hour endurance event following some smart strategy and a mature final stint from Ojeda, but for the 2025 trip to Sydney the regular sprint format will be used.
Following a recent test at the circuit for Ojeda and Lucchitti, the duo has grown in confidence that they can replicate their success from 2024.
“I’m looking forward to competing on home turf in Sydney,” said Ojeda.
“Obviously, we got the win last time we raced at Sydney in the GT World Challenge Australia event there in the three hour in 2024.
“I’m looking forward to continuing this year’s momentum, with Paul having a super strong showing at Phillip island to close the gap to some of those front running Am drivers. Hopefully we can continue with his learning and the Tigani Motorsport crew will aim to roll out a strong package to challenge in Pro-Am.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be fast there. We tested there last week and it all went well, so the focus is on the event, especially the one hour night race on Saturday.”
Just like last year, night racing will provide a unique element to the event compared to the other rounds this season at a round Ojeda holds a personal connection to.
“It’s always good to race under lights in Sydney because it changes the atmosphere of the circuit and it’s a completely different feeling to race at night, especially for me competing at home,” he explained.
“I grew up learning to drive across the road at Eastern Creek Karts, so Sydney Motorsport Park definitely is a special place to me and my journey in motorsport.”
The Shannons SpeedSeries event caps off a busy period behind the wheel for factory Mercedes-AMG Motorsport driver Ojeda, who believes the extra seat time not only benefits himself, but also Lucchitti due to relating learnings from other teams back to Tigani Motorsport.
“For me, I’m lucky enough through my Mercedes-AMG involvement I drive a GT3 quite frequently and by the time I get to Sydney that’ll be my fifth race weekend in a row, which is cool to say the least,” Ojeda reflected.
“Four of those will be in a Mercedes-AMG GT3, so the opportunity to test is good for me to always learn or try something.
“The big beneficiary is Paul as he’s learning every time he gets in the car and gains further experience when he turns laps.
“To get Paul out to Sydney was a good thing for us to get his eye back in because its a high speed circuit similar to Phillip Island, but the style of the surface is very, very different. We go from one of the most high grip circuits to where the cars are pulling maximum g-forces to Sydney where the quality of the surface is interesting in parts.”
But before Sydney Motorsport Park, Ojeda will once again join Craft Bamboo Racing at Suzuka this weekend marking his maiden appearance at the bucket list Japanese circuit.
“It’s my first time at Suzuka,” said Ojeda.
“When you’re thinking of the top five circuits in the world, I’m pretty sure everyone would have Suzuka somewhere among them.
“It’ll be awesome to cut some laps there as part of the Super Taikyu Series with Craft Bamboo Racing, so it’ll be cool to do the five hour there and roll straight back in for Sydney for another crack at GT World Challenge Australia.”
Round 2 of GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS will be at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 2-4 as part of a packed Shannons SpeedSeries roster.
Tickets can be purchased via speedseries.com.au/tickets