TWO factory Audi aces have been called up for the GT World Challenge Australia title decider at the VALO Adelaide 500.
German Christopher Mies and South African Kelvin van der Linde will join Yasser Shahin and Tony Bates respectively.
Shahin enters the finale 11 points ahead of Triple Eight Mercedes driver Prince Jefri Ibrahim, who will have Nick Foster as his co-driver.
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MPC boss Troy Russell says the Audi stars have been recruited due to clashing Supercars commitments for their regular partners.
“The main reason we have the factory drivers coming over is Yasser (Shahin) has mainly had Garth Tander partner him, but he has TV commitments, so then we looked further afield and Christopher Mies was an obvious choice,” said Russell.
“Christopher fits in with the team, he’s been to Adelaide and he’s a good fit with Yasser.
“Tony (Bates) is a bit the same as he’s had David Reynolds and Cameron Waters do a bit with him all year, but they’ve got their Supercars commitments, so again we searched overseas for drivers.
“Kelvin has been here as well and they both love coming to Australia, so it was an easy sell and they both are looking forward to it.
“We know are drivers are in safe hands and it’s great that we can bring guys of this calibre to the category and to the return of the Adelaide street track event.”
Mies is a former Australian GT Champion in his own right and two-time winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour.
He joined Shahin for last year’s GT World Challenge season finale at Bathurst and again at Phillip Island’s 2022 season opener.
The GT field will contest a trio of 40 minute races in Adelaide.
