SUPERCARS STARS JOIN CARRERA CUP PRO-AM

Tim Slade will join Stephen Grove for the Carrera Cup Pro-Am – Photo: Supplied

The third round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia see’s the series join up with the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island this weekend for their annual Porsche Pro-Am event.

Supercars stars, Lee Holdsworth and Tim Slade, are amongst a host of professional drivers called in to team up with the gentleman drivers in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge.

Teaming up with Stephen Grove, a regular front runner in the Pro-Am, Tim Slade is looking forward to joining the team for the weekend.

“It’s always great any time you get the chance to jump in a Porsche Carrera Cup car. The cars are sensational to drive, especially at Phillip Island, on a really good tyre and the result is that the racing is always very competitive,” said Slade.

“The Pro-Am events are always really enjoyable so I’m happy to be jumping in alongside Steve at Phillip Island. Adrian (Mastronardo) and I have had a great time the last few years and we’ve always been quick, so hopefully that can continue.

“Grove Racing has a really strong record at these events and hopefully we can continue that this year. There are a lot of points up for grabs so it’s an important weekend for the Challenge championship, so we’ll be working hard to get two strong results and a good points haul for Steve”

Lee Holdsworth joins Dean Grant – Photo: Supplied

While Lee Holdsworth, who raced with Stephen Grove last year at the Porsche Rennsport Festival, will join Dean Grant in the Porsche Center Melbourne entry.

“It’s always great fun to jump in a Porsche, especially when you get to do it at a pretty incredible place like Phillip Island,” Holdsworth said.

“I had a really enjoyable time last year with Steve Grove and his team and I’m looking forward to more of the same this weekend. I know the guys at Porsche Centre Melbourne prepare a good car so hopefully Dean and I can have a solid weekend.

“It’s always great to have a chance to drive different cars and work with different people, especially at an event where there’s not so much pressure and you can really go and enjoy it.

“At the same time, you’re always looking for a good result so we’ll be pushing hard!”

For the professional Carrera Cup drivers choosing a competitive “Am” co-driver creates its own unique challenge.

Carrera Cup series leader Andre Heimgartner – Photo: Supplied

Series leader Andre Heimgartner has enlisted Porsche Club Victoria regular and long-time supporter Aaron Ireland for the weekend.

“It is obviously exciting to have Aaron on board with us for this weekend,” said Heimgartner.

“He has done quite a lot of Porsche racing, which is very positive, and we have a good working relationship together also, so I am looking forward to seeing what we can do.”

The Pro-Am will run to a different format to regular Carrera Cup rounds, with two 60 minute races with compulsory driver changes in each.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Pro-Am Entry List

#4 Stephen Grove/Tim Slade (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Group
#5 Cameron McConville/Tony Bates (Professional Class) Repair Management Australia
#7 Jaxon Evans/Tim Miles (Professional Class) Hungry Jacks
#8 Dean Grant/Lee Holdsworth (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Porsche Centre Melbourne
#9 Marc Cini/Dean Fiore (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Hallmarc
#13 Sam Shahin/Dan Gaunt (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) HTFU
#29 Rob Woods/Duvashen Padayachee (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Platinum Night Club
#33 Simon Ellingham/John Goodacre (Professional Class) Peak Marketing
#38 David Wall/Shane Smollen (Professional Class) PAYCE/Wilson Security
#54 James Abela/Anthony Gilbertson (Professional Class) Horsley Park Gun Shop
#77 Nick McBride/Dylan Thomas (Professional Class) Bob Jane T-Marts
#88 Dylan O’Keeffe/Adam Gowans (Professional Class) APB Group/President Limo Australia
#131 Graham Williams/Nick Foster (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) WRA
#777 Andre Heimgartner/Aaron Ireland (Professional Class) Bob Jane T-Marts/Money Now
#888 Alex Davison/Geoff Emery (Professional Class) President Limo Australia

This weekend’s event at Phillip Island will also be part of the 100th Round celebrations for the Shannons Nationals.

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