Grove Racing is making a significant transition from Porsche to Mercedes for the upcoming 2024 GT World Challenge Australia season. Led by Stephen and Brenton Grove, this strategic shift has been carefully planned to accommodate Grove Racing's ambitious international schedule. Reflecting on their past successes in local GT racing, including numerous race wins and podium finishes, the Groves express genuine anticipation for the upcoming season with their new Mercedes. They see the switch as a positive step forward, eagerly anticipating the opportunity to showcase their skills and solidify their position in the sport.
Stephen Grove, Driver at Grove Racing, shares his excitement for the new Mercedes: "I really love the car. It’s great to drive, and having one here for the Australian championship and one for our overseas races is quite exciting. Compared to the Porsche, the Mercedes offers more speed due to its horsepower. As a front-engined car, it provides a lot of confidence with the weight at the front. The Porsche, by comparison, feels less stable in the rear, so as an AM driver, the Mercedes gives me a sense of assurance."
The recent addition of Supercars driver Matt Payne further strengthens Grove Racing's lineup, enhancing the team's depth and versatility. Supported by the technical expertise of their Supercars team, Penrite Racing, and logistical support from Earl Bamber Motorsport, Grove Racing's local and international GT campaign is set for success.
"We’re utilising the race engineers from our Supercar program throughout the season, which is exciting as it expands Grove Racing’s presence," says Brenton Grove, Driver at Grove Racing. "While we have significant experience in GT racing, this marks the first time the Supercar operation has been directly involved. Bringing Alistair McVean and Jack Bell to our overseas races this year further enhances the engineering knowledge of Grove Racing across disciplines."
The season kicks off with the opening round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS at Phillip Island, part of the prestigious Shannons SpeedSeries on April 12-14. Motorsport enthusiasts can catch all the action live and free on 7plus in Australia and via the GTWorld YouTube channel for international viewers.