Aussie Driver Search (ADS) has unveiled its first two winners of the 2018 Grand Finale at Wakefield Park, as the search for next year’s ADS team continues. 

With four major prize pools up for grabs, the program held eliminations rounds for Amateur, Semi-Pro, Pro and GT competitions which included a variety of track tests. 

Following the tests, the top nine from each category underwent a series of mechanical and media exams, before the top three competed in a fast lap shootout to determine the outright winner.   

More than 80 drivers took part in the Amateurs category, which saw winner, Ethan Grigg-Gault, gifted a $50,000 prize towards his 2019 racing campaign. 

“Winning today was in my wildest dreams,” Grigg-Gault said post-event.

“I always held reservations about winning a prestigious competition like this and to come away with the win is absolutely magnificent. 

“To finally spray champagne for the first time in my life makes me want to do it more so I am looking forward to the run with Aussie Driver Search next year.” 

Grigg-Gault took the less traditional path to the 2018 ADS Amateur title, his previous race resume consisting of a V8 Supercar Online Premier Series race win and Endurance Cup Championship. 

The next major Aussie Driver Search winner was Victorian Lee Partridge who beat about 100 other drivers to claim the Semi-Pro Championship and a cool $150,000 prize. 

“I’m over the moon, words cannot describe it to be honest,” an excited Partridge said post-event.

“I have done this competition for three years now and to finally win a achievement this big is a huge for me.

“Of all the things I have done in my racing, this is definitely the biggest ticket I have won. I am ecstatic.”

Partridge has a variety of circuit racing experience, with his major accolades including the Victorian U2 Sports Sedan Championship in 2017 and a 2 Litre class win in the 2011 Victorian Sports Sedan Series. 

The GT Comp saw 40 drivers from around Australia compete for two spots in ADS’ CAMS Australian GT Championship campiagn next year.

Following the first round of elimination, 12 finalists got behind the wheel of the Melbourne Performance Centre Audi R8 LMS for some hot laps, as well as completing the other mandatory testing. 

Coming out on top was Hamish Ribarits and American Connor Bloum, with both drivers earning a drive in one round of the CAMS Australian GT Championship next year. 

“Really ecstatic right now,” Ribarits said.

“It’s something I didn’t expect entering the competition for the first time, especially doing all three comps.

“I really didn’t expect to come out on top in the GT comp out of the three. Really happy and can’t thank everyone at ADS for opportunity they have given me.”

Bloum was also thrilled with the award.

“I’m super stoked and really excited, big shout out to every at Aussie Drivers Search,” Bloum added.

“Also to my friends and family for coming out with me. I am really excited and happy.”

In the final competition of the day, the best 80 drivers who underwent sample testing throughout the year, got a chance to drive smaller ADS cars and undergo a series of the media and mechanical testing before the best three drivers were selected to get behind the wheel of the Matt Stone Supercar. 

Remarkably, it was not an Australian who eventually took out the 2018 Aussie Driver Search Pro Comp, but another American in Matt Powers who claimed the biggest prize, a seat in the Dunlop Super2 Series next year with Matt Stone Racing. 

“It’s a dream,” Powers said after winning the comp. 

“Honestly It’s a dream to drive the super car especially a current generation car of the future that Matt Stone brought out here. 

“It’s hard to believe. It’s honestly beyond my wildest dreams. 

“My dad got me into racing but he unfortunately he passed away a couple of years ago so I am excited to make him proud and be out here and living in Australia soon.”