Melbourne Performance Centre (MPC) will bring back a fan-favourite entry for the upcoming GT Festival Sydney, with Matthew Stoupas and Gary Higgon confirmed to run in the KFC Audi R8 LMS Evo I.
With the pair originally entered in the Trophy Class for the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season opener at Phillip Island earlier this month, they were an unfortunate late withdrawal – delaying their first appearance for the year until Sydney.
Now with the second round taking place at Sydney Motorsport Park, Stoupas and Higgon are locked in for the event as they each make their long-awaited return to the top level of GT racing in Australia.
Both drivers have a wealth of experience in Australian GT racing, with Higgon a proven class title contender for the last five years – his most recent success being runner-up finishes in the Am class standings during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before missing last year.
During the 2022 and 2023 GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS seasons, Higgon picked up a number of podiums on his way to an impressive end-of-season result, with the 2022 campaign alongside Paul Stokell one of his strongest.
Like Higgon, Stoupas has spent a long time in the category and enjoyed lots of success over the course of his career, with his 2023 season runner-up alongside Stokell one of the most memorable- the duo finishing the season second in the Am class standing and boasting the record of being the only crew to finish every race on the podium.
The pair round out a stacked Melbourne Performance Centre line-up that includes the likes of 2023 Am champion Brad Schumacher and co-driver Will Brown, Kiwi race winners Brendon Leitch and Tim Miles, Supercars driver Ryan Wood and Steve Brooks, and Am Cup race winner Renee Gracie.
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
Troy Russell
Melbourne Performance Centre Owner
“It’s fantastic to have Gary and Matt confirmed to run for GT Festival in Sydney – obviously we were extremely close with having them run in Phillip Island, but it just didn’t happen in the end.”
“Both drivers are extremely excited to return to the category for this round and I am hopeful they will stick with it for the rest of the season.
“While they each have success in the Am class, running in the Trophy Class presents itself as a unique opportunity as it’s the best place to get into GT3 racing with a slightly older car. No doubt, over the next couple of years it will grow.
“Right now, I imagine there would be a dozen eligible cars out there, and I am hoping Matt and Gary’s entry can inspire them to come out and play with us.”
MPC lock in Higgon and Stoupas for GT Festival Sydney
