Tom Randle is the latest top tier Australian driver to join GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, with the Supercars star locked in to run alongside Marcel Zalloua at the upcoming GT Festival Sydney.
With the pair contesting the Pro-Am class in the Tigani Motorsport-prepared ResetData Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, Randle joins a growing pool of powerhouse drivers that includes the likes of Will Brown, Broc Feeney, Ryan Wood, Jaxon Evans and Jordan Love.
The late acquisition of Randle is a major coup for Zalloua, who is making first appearance in the category since picking up an Am class podium alongside Sergio Pires in last year’s highly entertaining endurance race at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Originally aiming to return this year in the Am class as a solo entry, Zalloua was inspired by his former co-driver to step up to Pro-Am – eventually securing the services of Randle in a late deal.
In bringing Randle to the fold, Zalloua gets one of the best drivers in the country, with Randle’s Supercars accolades highlighted by nine podiums during his time at the top level.
In addition to his Supercars experience, Randle has competed in a number of national categories including National Sports Sedans, the S5000 Australian Drivers Championship and Super2 – the latter of which he won in 2020.
Not only has Randle achieved a range of domestic success, he also brings with him a wealth of experience at international level as a result of an impressive junior career, while his most recent international exploits have been in the Bathurst 12 Hour with Scott Taylor Motorsport as part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge.
As for Zalloua, the New South Welshman has long been associated with GT racing, which includes a number of appearances in the Intercontinental GT Challenge – his best result coming in 2020 where he finished fourth in class alongside Dean Canto, Grant Denyer and Liam Talbot.
Zalloua enters Sydney off the back of a strong part-time campaign in the 2024 GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season, where he and Pires picked up three race wins in the Sprint Cup and ended up second overall in the Endurance Cup.
While Zalloua was first expected to start the season in Phillip Island, a crash in his Audi R8 LMS Evo II at the Bathurst 12 Hour forced him to the sidelines and to the Mercedes for his home round.
GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS’ second round of the 2025 season takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park as part of Shannons SpeedSeries’ GT Festival Sydney on 2–4 May.
Purchase tickets to GT Festival Sydney via speedseries.com.au/tickets
QUOTES
Marcel Zalloua
#44 Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO
“I am excited to be back in the category after missing out on Phillip Island. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back, but I very quickly realised I’m not someone who enjoys sitting out,” Zalloua said.
“I found watching from the sidelines really tough, so with Sydney being my home round, I had to figure out how I could get back behind the wheel–especially since the Audi wasn’t in good shape after Bathurst.
“Thankfully Tigani has the Mercedes, which will be great for me. We’ll have the new sponsor, ResetData, backing me and I will aim to put on a show on home soil with my family and friends all here–it’s why I love racing at Sydney Motorsport Park.
“There was the option to go solo for this round, but I was watching Serge learn a lot from George King and I figured partnering with someone highly skilled could only benefit my development –especially since I’m not getting a lot of drive time this year.
“Having someone like Tom on board is exciting. He’s been on our radar for a while. He seems like a great bloke–sensible, quick, and with a good personality. He just felt like the right fit. We’ll see how we go.
“This will be a one-off round, and we’ll see how it pans out. There is a lot happening in my world at the moment, however never say never. There is nothing truly like being behind the wheel.”