The Australian GT Championship has received a major boost with the news that regular competitor Ross Lilley will debut a brand new Dodge Viper at the final round of the series at Melbourne’s Sandown Raceway in late November.

The new V10 will replace Lilly’s ex John Bowe Lamborhini Gallardo  which has been sold to former Porsche driver Dean Grant. Grant, is a veteran of  the Carrera Cup Championship (2003-2006) and was that Series Tag Heuer Champion in both 2004 and 2005. 

Another Porsche Defector, Dean Grant's new Lambo

 Like Lilley, and Mark Eddy, Grant is the latest Porsche driver to defect from the marque, thanks in part to Porsche Cars Australia’s decision to ban the 997 GT3 from the series in order to protect it’s Carrera Cup competition.

Lilley’s new car has been sourced direct from the USA and unlike previous Vipers in the series, this one will be fully compliant with international GT3 regulations.

Also announced was the decision by Rod Wilson’s Pirelli Maserati Trofero team to join the series at Sandown. Wilson had set up the rival AASA sanctioned Pirelli Grand Turismo series and had vowed not to race in the Michelin supported GT championship.

The Maserati Trofero GT3 to be driven by Ivan Cappelli

However with the apparent collapse of the Australian Motor Racing Championship Wilson was faced with the option of running only at State level. The team will field three cars at Sandown including one car for former F1 driver Ivan Cappelli.

The final round of the Australian GT Championship will be at Sandown Raceway on November 29-30.