SRO Motorsports Australia is proud to announce Matleena Pukkila as the new GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS Series Manager for 2026 and beyond.
Pukkila enters the role with a wealth of experience , having previously held category management roles for a number of high-profile national series, including Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia, and more recently, the Monochrome GT4 Australia series.
A highly valued member of the SRO Motorsports Australia team, Pukkila will retain her position as Monochrome GT4 Australia Category Manager, adding the GT World Challenge Australia duties to her current portfolio.
GT World Challenge Australia crews will be quite familiar Pukkila outside of her work with SRO Motorsports Australia, with the highly experienced administrator having held the role of Event Manager and Sporting Coordinator for SRO Motorsports Australia in 2024, while also serving as Bathurst 12 Hour Event Administrator role - a position she currently occupies.
This appointment comes after current Series Manager, Charise Bristow, concludes her tenure after successfully guiding the series since 2023, with Pukkila to officially take over from 18 December.
Bristow departs to pursue new professional opportunities, and the wider SRO Motorsports Australia team expresses its sincere appreciation for her leadership and the positive contribution she has made.
Whilst Pukkila doesn’t officially become the official category manager until later this month, teams and drivers can reach out to Pukkila for all requirements ahead of the 2026 season from now.
GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS kicks off the 2026 season at the Shannons SpeedSeries’ GT Festival Phillip Island at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on 27-29 March.
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Ben McMellan
SRO Motorsports Australia CEO
“We are more than pleased to have Matleena step into the Category Manager for GT World Challenge Australia and we are excited to see her excel in the 2026 season and beyond,” McMellan said.
“With her GT4 Australia and Bathurst 12 Hour role experience, Matleena’s remarkable ability to lead and her existing relationships with the current crop of GT World Challenge Australia teams and drivers, so it was an obvious choice to have her replace Charise.
“Through working closely with Charise after taking on the role of category manager for GT4 this year, Matleena has proved that she highly capable of holding this position and I have no doubt that she will do a stellar job and it will be a seamless transition.
“I would also like to use this opportunity to thank Charise on behalf of SRO Motorsports Australia for her incredible work and commitment to GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, and wish her all the very best for the future.”
Matleena Pukkila
GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS Series Manager
“I am excited at the opportunity to take on the Series Manager role for GT World Challenge Australia and look forward to the challenge that comes with it," Pukkila said.
"Working alongside with Charise this year in my role has been incredible and I am hopeful of continuing the outstanding work she has done over the past two seasons. I am confident that I can build on the strong foundation she has created.
"The category is certainly on an upward trajectory with a lot of potential, and I am thrilled to now be part of it - I am looking forward to playing a role in its continued development and being a trusted contact for the teams and drivers."