GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS continued day one of its visit to Sydney Motorsport Park with a bang as Brett Hobson showcased his pace in the Bronze Driver Practice session by topping the timesheets.
Behind the wheel of the RAM Motorsport / GWR Australia Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO he shares Michael Sheargold, Hobson setting the benchmark on his 16th lap with a 1:27.1696.
The result marked a strong return to GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS competition for Hobson, who made his first appearance in the category since 2023 and immediately showed impressive pace aboard the Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO.
Hobson's rise to the top came late in the session, with the Mercedes-AMG jumped from ninth to the top with just over three minutes remaining before briefly dropping behind Renee Gracie. Hobson responded moments later to reclaim the outright fastest time.
Finishing second fastest overall was Team BRM's Mark Rosser, who produced a late charge of his own to briefly move into the lead before ultimately settling for the second-best lap with a 1:27.5632 aboard the Audi R8 LMS EVO II.
Rounding out the top three was Gracie in the OnlyFans Racing Ferrari 296 GT3, with her best time of 1:28.2847 coming after a strong middle section of the session.
The Move My Wheels by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO of Paul Lucchitti completed the top four with a 1:28.3904, while Andrew Georgiadis rounded out the top five aboard the Earl Bamber Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R with a 1:28.7376.
Georgiadis was another driver to make significant progress during the session, jumping eight positions to end up fifth overall as the session developed.
Sergio Pires was next on the timesheets in the Geyer Valmont Racing by Tigani Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 EVO, recording a 1:28.9922 to finish sixth overall.
With the lead changing hands several times throughout the session and less than four tenths of a second separating the top two at the chequered flag, the Bronze Driver Practice provided an entertaining start to the competitive action at Sydney Motorsport Park.
In the Trophy Class, Paul Stokell and Matt Stoupas led the way for the KFC Team MPC Audi R8 LMS EVO II, with the pair a second a half faster than the the AED Consulting by Tigani Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 R of Nathan Halstead.
View the full times for Bronze Driver Practice here.
The next session for GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS is back for the final practice session of the day at 5:15pm AEST.