Preparations for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia and Monochrome GT4 Australia 2024 seasons are beginning to take shape with SRO Motorsports Australia announcing key appointments.
In conjunction with Motorsport Australia, SRO Motorsports Australia has confirmed James Taylor will be the Motorsport Australia Race Director and Craig Baird the Motorsport Australia Driving Standards Advisor for both series.
Both individuals have extensive motorsport experience in these specific roles, having held the positions in major championships and events in Australia, including the Repco Supercars Championship.
SRO Motorsports Australia CEO Ben McMellan was pleased to welcome both Taylor and Baird into the categories.
“We are thrilled to be able to have acquired the services of both James and Craig for the 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge and Monochrome GT4 Australia 2024 seasons,” McMellan said.
“It’s a real coup to have individuals of this calibre involved in both categories and I have no doubt their experience and knowledge will enhance the stature of the series – especially as the categories enter new phases.
“Preparations for the 2024 season are ticking along nicely, so to have these positions now locked in is fantastic for us and we’re getting very excited to get next year underway.”
The 2024 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia season gets underway at the Bathurst 12 Hour on 16-18 February, while the Monochrome GT4 Australia officially begins its first solo season at Phillip Island with the Shannons SpeedSeries on 12-14 April.
About James and Craig
James Taylor – Motorsport Australia Race Director - Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia & Monochrome GT4 Australia
James is one of the most experienced Race Directors in the region, having vast experience in the main chair at premier events in Australia and Asia.
Having held Race Director roles for a number of categories in Australia, James was promoted to Race Director of the Repco Supercars Championship in 2022. Prior to holding the top job in Race Control, James was previously the Deputy Race Director for Supercars and Race Director for the Dunlop Super2 Series.
Outside of Supercars, James has also been Race Director of the Bathurst 12 Hour since 2016, as well as the Thailand Super Series events. He was also the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Race Director from 2016 to 2020, while also holding the role in the Australian Porsche one-make series from 2014 to 2018.
James is also part of the FIA’s High Performance program for Race Directors, a select group of Race Directors from around the world.
Craig Baird – Motorsport Australia Driving Standards Advisor - Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia & Monochrome GT4 Australia
Craig is a highly experienced Driving Standards Advisor, currently holding the same role for the Repco Supercars Championship. He has extensive experience in similar roles around the world, highly regarded for his skills and decision making by both competitors and race organisers.
Craig has an extensive driving resume during what was a lengthy career in Australia, New Zealand and around the world. Highlights of his racing achievements include as a race winner in the Supercars Championship, and impressively is one of the most successful Porsche drivers of all time, having won the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship five times. He is also an outright Bathurst 12 Hour winner in 2007 and has competed regularly in GT racing both in Australia and around the world before taking on roles in Race Control at numerous international events, including Supercars.