GARRY’S WINTON SHANNONS NATIONALS WRAP – FRIDAY

ROUND THREE of the Shannons Nationals began at Winton Raceway today with practice sessions for the four categories running this weekend.

The number of categories is limited to the Australian Production Car Series second round, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series third round, round two of the GT Trophy Series, and the second outing for the Australian Prototype Series. But in the case of the first three, the races are longer.

Iain and Grant Sherrin fastest in Australian Production Car Series – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

AS EXPECTED the A1 Class BMW M4 of the Sherrin brothers, Iain and Grant, headed up the Production Car runners as they prepare for twin 300km races over the next two days. Their best time was a 1m 31.2057s lap in the afternoon.

Next best and only 0.4s away was the Rod Salmon Mitsubishi EVO 10 RS driven by young Will Brown while third fastest was the Ford Focus RS shared by Nathan Morcom and Chaz Mostert.

In the other classes, A2 is led by Chris Lillis/Vince Ciallella (HSV Clubsport), C by Colin Osborne, and D with Grant Phillips/Cameron Hill. In Class E it is Paul Currie/Jason (Suzuki Swift Sport) and the father and son duo of Gerry and Leigh Burges (Kia Proceed GT) show the way in Class I.

Jordan Love made a strong start in Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

JORDAN LOVE has made a strong start to round three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia, topping the timesheets following today’s two outings.

Love finished 0.8s quicker than his nearest rival, fellow Perth baser racer – and Love’s boss, Peter Major. The latter is making his GT3 Cup Challenge debut after recently accruing two GT Championship race wins and competed in the recent Phillip Island endurance race, giving the him good preparation for the 35-lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race.

“The main reason I’m here in GT3 Cup Challenge is because of Jordan Love, who works for me. He has been harassing me at work about how he’s going to beat me so I thought I’d come out and have a bit of fun,” said Major.

Third and fourth fastest were Elite Class drivers Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin while Brenton Grove was fifth overall.

Rio Nugara and Jake Fouracre fastest in Australian GT Trophy practice – Photo: Dirk Klynsmith

AUDI CUSTOMER Australia Audis dominated the one and only session for GTs today, with the Rio Nugara and Jake Fouracre R8 LMS Ultra fastest ahead of three others out of the Melbourne-based operation.

Second fastest was Steve McLaughlan ahead and Rod Salmon. Travers Beynon was fifth in another Audi which is based out of Queensland while Jan Jinadasa was first non-Audi in his Lamborghini LP560 in sixth spot.

Aaron Steer lead the way in Australian Prototype Series – Photo: Rhys Vandersyde

IN THE fledgling Prototypes Aaron Steer produced the best time of the day in his West, edging out series leader and round one winner Philip Hughes in his Radical. Chris Sutton was third fastest in another Radical ahead of the West of John-Paul Drake and then Terry Peovitis (FL1).

It’s also worth noting that it’s free entry to Winton Raceway for this weekend’s Shannons Nationals round. Otherwise make sure you follow Auto Action on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest updates across the weekend as well as the Shannons Nationals live stream on Sunday.