TIM MILES AND SAM SHAHIN JOIN CARRERA CUP FOR THE TREK TO DARWIN

Porsche Carrera Cup at Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will feature two new, yet familiar faces for this weekend round up in Darwin.

Having both just competed at the Pro-Am event at Phillip Island, Tim Miles and Sam Shahin will join the Carrera Cup field as solo drivers for the fourth round of the championship at Hidden Valley Raceway.

Tim Miles with Jaxon Evans at Phillip Island

Tim Miles, is fresh off his outright podium result with Jaxon Evans at Phillip Island three weeks ago. Having also won the Elite class in the GT3 Cup Challenge, the second tier of Porsche racing in Australia, last year.

Shahin also scored a class podium in his maiden Carrera Cup appearance, alongside Dan Gaunt, during the Pro-Am at the Island.

Sam Shahin made his Carrera Cup debut at the last round at Phillip Island

Like Miles, Shahin also brings significant GT3 Cup Challenge experience, having competed just last weekend at Winton, and currently leading Elite Class standings for 2017.

This weekend marks Carrera Cup’s sixth appearance at the 2.87 km Darwin circuit, with many of the drivers looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s nice to go to Darwin being from Victoria, where the weather is terrible at this time of year in June,” said round two winner Cam McConville.

“It’s a very different track; it’s a lot about braking, particularly into turn one. And it’s vital to get a good run out of the final corner as the track has a great one kilometre front straight.”

While many of the series stars have vast experience at the circuit, including six-time Darwin race winner Alex Davison, others, including series rookie Jaxon Evans, will be driving on the circuit for the first time.

“It’s a new track and a new place for me; I’ve never been that far north in Australia. I’m excited about learning the new track but also immersing myself in the culture and seeing what the event is all about,” said Evans.

Andre Heimgartner enters to round with the championship lead, though David Wall, coming off his first ever outright round win at Phillip Island, is only 10 points adrift in second place.

Stephen Grove holds a dominant 109.5 lead in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge standings. The Victorian has amassed four straight TAG Heuer Pole Positions in the Challenge class, a feat last achieved by Rodney Jane in 2007, who went on to post a record seven-straight pole positions in class.

“I can’t wait to get to Darwin,” said Grove, who raced at Fuji Speedway two weeks ago as part of the joint Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Japan round. “Fuji Speedway is a good mix of fast, flowing sections with some very technical corners. The event was great preparation for Darwin; both tracks have a very long straight, heavy braking sections and free flowing elements. I’m looking forward to it.”

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will hold two practice sessions on Friday, qualifying and a lengthy 25 lap race on Saturday, followed by two 18 lap races on Sunday.

Porsche Carrera Cup Entry List – Round 4, Darwin
#4 Stephen Grove (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Group
#5 Cameron McConville (Outright) Repair Management Australia
#6 Michael Almond (Outright) Repair Management Australia
#7 Jaxon Evans (Outright) Hungry Jacks
#13 Sam Shahin (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) HTFU
#33 Simon Ellingham (Outright) Peak Marketing
#38 David Wall (Outright) PAYCE/Wilson Security
#54 James Abela (Outright) Horsley Park Gun Shop/Strathbrook Industrial Services
#70 Tim Miles (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Miles Advisory Partners
#77 Nick McBride (Outright) Bob Jane T-Marts
#88 Dylan O’Keeffe (Outright) APB Group/President Limo Australia
#777 Andre Heimgartner (Outright) Bob Jane T-Marts/Money Now
#888 Alex Davison (Outright) President Limo Australia

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