After securing the 2025 Am Class title at GT Festival The Bend, Renee Gracie will make her grand return to the Pro-Am Class at the GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season finale in New Zealand.
Returning with her Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS Evo II for GT Festival Hampton Downs, Gracie will team up with talented Kiwi racer, Damon Leitch for the season finale.
The addition of Leitch marks Gracie’s return to the Pro-Am class, where she last contested the entire 2024 season alongside experienced co-driver Paul Stokell.
Running solo in the Am Class this season, Gracie claimed seven class wins from ten starts, including a five-race winning streak across three rounds.
Her dominant form sealed the Am class title at The Bend, where a seventh win in Race 2 extended her margin to an unassailable 85 points.
Boasting a wealth of racing experience in New Zealand, Gracie’s new co-driver will make his debut in the Australian Series, his addition expected to further strengthen Gracie's bid for an outright podium at Hampton Downs.
The older brother of regular GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS competitor Brendon Leitch, Damon boasts a strong résumé across the Toyota Racing Series and Formula Ford and has proven his endurance pace with a recent podium in the New Zealand 3 Hour Endurance Championship at Hampton Downs.
Although yet to claim a title of his own, Leitch is a proven race winner, with standout Toyota Racing Series campaigns in 2012 and 2014 that saw him finish third in the championship on both occasions.
Gracie and Leitch will feature their GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS debuts at GT Festival Hampton Downs on 31 October 31 – November 2.
Purchase tickets to the 2025 season finale at Hampton Downs via speedseries.com.au/tickets
QUOTES
Renee Gracie
Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS EVO II
“Previously, when I ran with Paul (Stokell) as the pro, the roles felt reversed and it didn’t sit exactly right with me, but now being the Am and having tied up the class championship, I feel like I’m finally ready to take this next step and can focus on progression, learning, and pushing myself in the right way,” Gracie said.
“I was really excited about the opportunity to have Damon with me, especially since having Brendon as a teammate and seeing how much he brought to the team was inspiring. It immediately seemed like the best fit to reach out and see if Damon would be interested in working together.
“It feels like the perfect combination – working with a talented local pro who can push me, share knowledge, and help ensure this step is the right one for my development.
“I know how tough the pro role can be, and I’ve had some PTSD from my time being the pro myself, but I’ve had a few strong results this year in the Am Cup, so now it’s about switching my mindset, gaining confidence, and seeing how I can race effectively with a capable pro alongside me.
“Ultimately, I want to learn, grow, and prove that I can be competitive in this program. I’ve had moments this year where I felt a good pro could have helped me contend for Pro-Am podiums, and now that I have that, it’s an exciting step forward and I can’t wait to see how it works.
Damien Leitch
Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS EVO II
“It’s awesome to get the call up and the opportunity to have a shot at the last red with Renee. It wasn’t completely out of the blue, but somehow my name has come out of the fold and now we are here,” Leitch said.
“I am really looking forward to getting behind the wheel to help out Renee wherever possible. She has had a solid season to win the Am Cup, so it’s awesome to be given the opportunity to help her have a go in the Pro-Am class
“It’s a really competitive category. I have been following it closely through my brother’s involvement, but I never thought I would get the chance to drive in it myself, so it’s very cool and I am grateful that Renee has given me green light to compete.
“Being a New Zealander, it probably makes it a bit easier for me to adapt to the track better, but I am going to be learning the car myself during the opening sessions so I don’t think I will have too much of an advantage over the rest of the field.
“I don’t have any expectations about it but we will get out there and give it our best and see how it all goes. Brendon obviously has been pretty good over the years so I will learn from some of his competitive spirit and hopefully get some good results.”