SECOND HALF OF PORSCHE GT3 CUP CHALLENGE SEASON STARTS IN SYDNEY
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge takes to Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend – Photo: Supplied
Sydney Motorsport Park will host round four of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli this weekend as all eyes will be focused on Saturday’s second leg of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
The Sydney round marks the start of the season’s second half, with Saturday’s 30-lap opening race to feature as the second event of the three-race Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Porsche Junior Jordan Love claimed a convincing victory in the first endurance race at Winton Motor Raceway, ultimately departing the event with round victory and an extended series lead. Now Love will look to retain his lead in the Endurance Trophy with another strong performance in Sydney’s long distance opener.
“I’m really looking forward to the next round at Sydney Motorsport Park. It’s the only track on the calendar so far on which I haven’t driven a tin-top so I’m really looking forward to learning the track in a different car,” said Love.
“I’m excited about the second race of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy. I’m focused on the Endurance Trophy this year, as well as the outright title. The longer races throw more challenges at you, like managing tyres and learning consistency over a longer distance, so hopefully I can have another strong performance and hold my lead in the endurance standings.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Gilbertson is looking forward to Sydney after a tremendous round at Winton Motor Raceway, where he became the first Elite Class driver to score an outright pole position.
“I love all the fast, flowing circuits on the calendar like Sydney and Phillip Island; they really suit my driving style,” said Gilbertson.
“I’ve really built some confidence in my qualifying efforts. I’m confident that when we put green tyres on the car that I can secure a decent position on the grid for race one, which would be great for the longer race in Sydney.”
Brendan Cook will return to the series for the first time since last season’s final round at Phillip Island, joined in Class B by David Greig, who at Winton last month posted the fastest ever GT3 Cup Challenge race lap time in a first generation 997 series GT3 Cup car around the 3.0 km Victorian venue.
Eight cars will fight for Elite Class honours at Sydney Motorsport Park, including John Morriss, who will contest a milestone 30th round in the series, and Sam Shahin, who recently claimed TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge round honours at Porsche Carrera Cup Australia’s recent Darwin event. Ross McGregor and Shane Barwood return to the Porsche series in Sydney after short absences.
Love, Brenton Grove and John Steffensen will continue their season-long Professional Class battle in Sydney, with 62 points separating the trio halfway through the season.
Entry List: Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Round 5 at Sydney Motorsport Park
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Make sure you follow Auto Action on social media – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates throughout the Shannons Nationals at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend.
