News
An alternate preparation for the upcoming season
KMB Motorsport’s Mike Bailey will return to his rallying roots during the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS off-season.
Crediting his season best finish of second in GT Trophy and sixth outright in the final Bathurst race to improved fitness, Bailey will indulge in his love of rallying after bringing a couple of cars from his collection to Australia.
To keep updated with the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS like us on Facebook and to view the latest images follow our Instagram.
“I want to get some rallies under my belt,” Bailey enthused.
“I need to get some of that in, I’ve bought a few over to Australia in both gravel and tarmac specification so I’ll hopefully get some of that in before the season starts.”
In what was Bailey’s maiden season of circuit racing – let alone in GT competition – an early incident at Phillip Island highlighted a need to improve his stamina, which he has achieved through a strict regime.
“I’ve made a lot of effort fitness-wise,” Bailey explained.
“At the first Phillip Island event when the I lost the backend, I think I was a little too eager because I started from rear of grid and my heartrate was 180 all the way. But at Bathurst for the final round, it was at 160, which is good.
“I made a conscious effort during the last COVID lockdown in Melbourne to behave.”
Although Bathurst provided a season best result, it wasn’t without drama as Bailey was forced to swap to his usual Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 after a practice incident forced his recently acquired Bentley Continental GT3 to be a late scratching.
Despite this, the damage wasn’t too severe and it is expected to be out at multiple Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS rounds this season.
“When I bought the Bentley, I received a lot of spares with it,” he explained.
“The body damage wasn’t crazy and the photo just shows a few scrapes, so I’d love to run the Bentley.”