Brendon Leitch says he remains committed to one day starting the Bathurst 1000, a dream fuelled and supported by his late friend and co-driver Tim Miles.
Leitch, 29, has chosen to step away from this weekend’s GT World Challenge Australia (GTWCA) round at Sandown following the heartbreaking loss of Tim Miles, who passed away after a cycling accident in Sydney on July 6.
The pair had been sharing a Melbourne Performance Centre Audi in the series.
Although Leitch will not be racing, the team’s entry will still appear at Sandown as part of a tribute to the well-respected New Zealand businessman and racer.
“I’m saddened to not be continuing our amazing journey together,” said Leitch.
“We explored options to continue racing, but none of them felt appropriate without Tim.”
Originally from Invercargill, Leitch has built a career in GT racing across multiple international series, including Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia and Europe. His decision to miss the Sandown event came after discussions with Miles’ longtime friend Andy McElrea.
A scheduling conflict also prevented Leitch from attending Miles’ funeral, which was held last Friday. Leitch made the decision after speaking with Miles’s best friend, Andy McElrea, who told him Miles would have wanted him to race.
“Last week I made the toughest call to miss Tim’s memorial service. I agonised over it until his best mate Andy McElrea said Tim would have wanted me to race. That gave me confidence to get on the plane, albeit with a very heavy heart.
“So here we are, back in the Lamborghini with Leipert and JJ going hunting for trophies like Tim would have wanted.”
Leitch and Miles first crossed paths a decade ago, though their on-track partnership only began early last year.
“Tim and I met a decade ago but only got the chance to race together at the beginning of 2024,” said Leitch.
“When an unexpected change of plans put my career in Germany on ice, Tim was the one to offer me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse. My partner and I moved to Sydney where Tim and his family welcomed us with open arms.”
Their new collaboration quickly found success. The duo claimed victory in just their second outing together at Phillip Island and regularly featured on the GTWCA podium over the following months.
“We enjoyed success straight away, winning just our second race together at Phillip Island and stood on the podium several more times in the year-and-a-half since.
“If not for Tim, I wouldn’t be where I am now. It is a shame that I will not be continuing in GT World Challenge Australia for now, but hopefully you’ll have not seen the last divebomb from me.”
Miles, best known in motorsport circles as a passionate racer, former team owner, and supporter of Kiwi talent, was also involved in business and governance, but it was in the paddock where he earned the most respect and admiration.
He played a key role in Leitch’s recent Supercars test with Matt Stone Racing at Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this year, helping arrange the opportunity.
“Tim saw potential in me and was the key that opened the door to a Supercars test with Matt Stone Racing,” Leitch explained.
“I think it speaks to Tim’s pulling power that it took very little convincing for teams to take some interest in me.”
While Aaron Seton ultimately secured the wildcard seat that Leitch had tested for, the Southlander says he remains focused on earning his place on the grid for the Repco Bathurst 1000 in future seasons, a goal now carrying even more emotional weight.
“Unfortunately, a deal has not come together yet to race at The Bend 500 and the Bathurst 1000 this year, but I’ve still got a close eye on Supercars and am keen to make Tim’s vision of me being on the Great Race grid at Mount Panorama a reality one day,” Leitch said.
“Tim played a massive part in motorsport and business, and I was fortunate enough to be one of so many he made a lasting impression on.”
Leitch, whose motorsport journey began with Karting, progressed through Formula Ford, the Toyota Racing Series, Formula 3 Asia & F4 United States open-wheel series, before transitioning to endurance racing worldwide. He says he owes much of his current standing to Miles’ belief in his talent and character.
As tributes continue to pour in for Miles from across motorsport and business circles, Leitch’s own commitment to fulfilling their shared dreams stands as a poignant legacy to their short but impactful partnership.
Header Image: Race Project
