Unlucky first round for Renee Gracie in GTWC Australia opener at Phillip Island

After getting caught in first lap incidents in both races at Phillip Island, Renee Gracie and Will Davison had a tough start to the 2026 GT World Challenge Australia season, and could collect a seventh place in Race 1 despite showcasing good potential for the top five in the ProAm class.

Photo credits: Jack Martin Photography

After getting caught in first lap incidents in both races at Phillip Island, the OnlyFans Racing Team of Renee Gracie and William Davison had a tough start to the 2026 GT World Challenge Australia season, and could collect a seventh place in Race 1 before un unfortunate retirement in Race 2.

Stepping up to the ProAm class with the new Ferrari 296 GT3 platform, the 2025 AM-class champion and two-time title winner was aiming to start off her new season on a high, partnering two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Will Davison.

The duo did in fact showcase good speed and potential, but were unlucky in both races, with first lap contacts forcing them to climb through the field.

Running inside the top ten overall over the practice sessions, both drivers displayed pace in their respective qualifying sessions: Davison clocked a 1:40.358 to secure fourth on the grid, while Gracie was seventh fastest in her session, with a 1:49.791 in a wet Q2.

The weather remained changeable throughout the day, and the track conditions weren't yet ideal for the opening race of the season. However, it was dry enough to start on slicks; Renee Gracie was behind the wheel of the #181 Ferrari 296 GT3 for the first Phillip Island race from 7th place on the grid.

The very first corner however proved tricky: three cars entered the fast right-hander side-by-side, with Gracie on the inside. This sandwich resulted in a collision, causing Gracie to spin, and the Mercedes to end up stranded in the gravel on the outside. Gracie was quickly able to rejoin, but Lucchitti's Mercedes had to be recovered, bringing out the safety car. During this time, it began to rain, prompting Brooks to switch to wet tyres. Gracie was thus in 13th place.

The race restarted after three laps; the #15 McLaren outbraked itself on the damp track while accelerating out of the final corner and spun wide. After brief contact with the pit wall, the car came to rest on the edge of the asphalt where it met the grass. Since the car couldn't free itself, the safety car was deployed a second time. During this phase, the rain stopped again, so Brooks had to switch back to dry tyres.

Photo credits: Jack Martin Photography

The restart took place with 33 minutes remaining. The first teams quickly went into the pits to complete their driver changes. Gracie stayed out and moved up to 8th before handing over to Davison with 25 minutes left. After all the pit stops, Davison was back in 9th place.

Davison immediately tried to gain positions and pushed hard - sometimes a little too hard - drifting the Ferrari around some of the corners. Nevertheless, he managed to overtake Gardner with 15 minutes remaining. He continued to attack and closed the gap to Astuti, then attacked during the final laps and managed to pass him on the last lap. The OnlyFans Racing Team thus finishes in 7th place in ProAm and overall.

In the second race, Will Davison would be taking the start from 4th position. In the first corner, however, he lost control and slid off the track through the gravel. He managed to regain control but rejoined the race at the tail end of the pack. Several other cars also went off during the first lap, allowing Davison to regain some positions. However, the #15 McLaren again came to a stop off track and had to be recovered and the safety car was therefore deployed.

The neutralization only lasted a few laps; Davison's race however wouldn't last much longer either, as the #181 Ferrari went for a late move, made contact with a rival and picked up steering damage, eventually having to retire after 17 minutes of racing.

Despite an unlucky season opener, Gracie and Davison showcased good potential for the top five - and will aim to capitalize on their pace at the next race, which will take place from May 8-10 at the Bend.