Di Mauro returns: With hopes of championship right in sight
Well as Battery World Aussie Racing Cars kicks off season NO.26 in just shy of 30 days’ time, so too does the comeback season for Porsche Carrera Cup Driver – Anthony Di Mauro, who looks at Aussie Cars title in 2026.
The 35 -year old, South Australian has got his eyes set on the prize this season, as championship contenders head elsewhere & leave the door wide open for this year’s series title.
“I'm really excited for 2026 because it feels like the first year I'm genuinely coming in properly prepared... running a reasonably big civil business has meant in previous years I probably haven't been able to commit the same time and energy that some of the guys running at the front do week in and week out... this year that's changed".
"We've done a full rebuild on the car & I've been working really hard on my fitness and training everyday... on top of that I've been lucky enough to bring on a really strong group of sponsors... which gives us the resources to do things properly".
"The calendar is pretty exciting as well... there are a lot of tracks I enjoy racing at... but starting the year at Bathurst is something I'm really looking forward to".
Di Mauro will begin his 5th season in Aussie Cars this year, and after just shy of 60 career race starts, he’s still yet to crack that first career race win - despite falling short too many times to count.
“I've come close to that first win a number of times now... which is probably what keeps the fire burning the most".
"Townsville in 2023 was probably the closest... I was literally one corner away".
"Bathurst in 2024 was another opportunity where we had really strong pace all weekend... before an axel failure over the top of the mountain ended that run".
"There have been other moments as well... In Darwin we came from eighth and had the fastest car on track... before a fuel pump failure whilst fighting for second".
"Those experiences probably highlight how many things need to align in motorsport... preparation... reliability... fitness... and all the little one percenters".
"One of the biggest changes for me this year is preparation... I've worked really hard on my fitness and will be racing at the correct weight for the first time... which is actually a big factor in these cars".
Di Mauro made his Porsche Carrera Cup debut in 2024 at the VAILO Adelaide 500 & looks to bring the experience from his wildcard weekend, into what’s going a be a massive 6 – Round Aussie Cars championship in 2026.
“My Porsche Carrera Cup debut at the Adelaide 500 was honestly a pretty surreal experience... was something I probably never thought I'd get the chance to do".
"From a driver development perspective it taught me a lot... the level in Careera Cup is extremely high... more than anything though it gave me confidence & showed me that when I put the work in and back myself - I can compete at that level".
But where will Di Mauro be?
Well the pit garages will have to wait and see … as former teammate - multiple time Aussie Car champ – Joel Heinrich, makes the step-up into TA2 for 2026, leaving his competitors wondering, if he’ll be back for a full season this year?
“Having Joel as a teammate has been really cool for me... he's obviously been the benchmark in the category for a long time".
"He's extremely strong from an engineering perspective... and being able to combine that technical understanding with his driving ability is a big part of why he's been so successful".
"I don't think Joel will be running the full season this year... but he'll still be heavily involved in engineering my car at the rounds he's not racing".
"If he's not running the full championship... it probably does open things up a bit... but for me the mindset is pretty simple... focus on doing my job properly... if we hit our marks and make the most of the preparation we've put in... I believe we can be right in the fight".
Jai Eccles asked Di Mauro - "Where do you see yourself by the end of the year? After a P5 outright in your 2021 Rookie season?"
"I would like to be in the top 2-3 heading into the final round & if we were able to get that first win this year I'd be extremely humbled!".
But it’s clear Di Mauro is setting the bar high in 2026 & knows where his standards are at - as he looks to crack on hard for this year’s series title.
And you can catch it all LIVE - kicking off Easter long weekend, from the 3rd – 5th April at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour.
Live from the screens of CH:505 Fox Sports, Kayo & SBS One:
Proudly brought to you by, Battery World Australia
Jai Eccles
