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GARRY’S PHILLIP ISLAND SHANNONS NATIONALS WRAP – FRIDAY

Ryan Suhle qualified fastest for this weekend Formula 4 races - Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

By Bruce Williams

Ryan Suhle qualified fastest for this weekend Formula 4 races - Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Ryan Suhle qualified fastest for this weekend Formula 4 races – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

THE SHANNONS NATIONALS is celebrating its 100th round at Phillip Island this weekend with the opening round of the CAMS Australian GT Championship, round three of the Carrera Cup and CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship, round two of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and round three of the Radical Australia Cup.

While GTs are not officially on the circuit until Saturday, Formula 4 held their qualifying session with Zagame Autosport’s Ryan Suhle going quickest in a sub-record time of 1 minute 33.575 seconds, eclipsing New Zealander Liam Lawson (Team BRM) by 0.06 seconds and BRM team mate Josh Denton by a further 0.02 seconds.

Cameron Shields and Aaron Love, also out of the Team BRM stable was next fastest ahead of Tyler Everingham (Zagame) and Simon Fallon (Team BRM). The AGI Sport trio of Nick Rowe, Sage Murdoch and Zak Best completed the top ten which is covered by 1.28 seconds.

Nick Foster and Graham Williams fastest in Carrera Cup Pro-Am practice - Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Nick Foster and Graham Williams fastest in Carrera Cup Pro-Am practice – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia has their two-driver pair of Pro-Am races this weekend and the early laurels rest with Nick Foster and Graham Williams with the combination in the fastest car so far.

Second quickest were Andre Heimgartner and Aaron Ireland ahead of Nick McBride/Dylan Thomas, Jaxon Evans/Tim Miles, Alex Davison/Geoff Emery, Dylan O’Keefe/Adam Gowans, Cameron McConville/Tony Bates, Stephen Grove/Tim Slade, Dean Grant/Lee Holdsworth and Marc Cini/Dean Fiore.

There was some rescheduling of the Friday program when Anthony Gilbertson crashed James Abela’s Porsche at the Hayshed. The car escaped serious damage and will be running tomorrow but damage to the retaining tyre wall caused a long delay.

Jordan Love fastest in GT3 Cup Challenge practice - Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Jordan Love fastest in GT3 Cup Challenge practice – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

In Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, Jordan Love led the way after three practice sessions, setting a best lap time that was half a second faster than his closest challenger, fellow Professional Class’ Brenton Grove.

Third overall was Anthony Gilbertson who led the Elite Class ahead of John Karytinos, John Morriss and Sam Shahin with just 0.5 seconds covering the quartet.

Michael Shaw fastest in Radicals practice - Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

Michael Shaw fastest in Radicals practice – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

With fastest times in two of the three sessions Michael Shaw was fastest in Radical practice ahead of Peter Paddon, Oliver Smith and Kim Burke.

Make sure you follow Auto Action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates across the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island this weekend.