THREE PORSCHE CHAMPIONS TO BE CROWNED AT PHILLIP ISLAND
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge titles to be decided this weekend – Photo: Supplied
PORSCHE GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will officially crown three champions after this weekend’s final round of the 2017 championship at Phillip Island.
While David Greig has sealed the Class B title and Jordan Love has his hands firmly on the Professional Class and Outright wins, the Elite Class is proving to be the highlight of the round with just seven points separating Anthony Gilbertson and Sam Shahin.
Consistent results and an outright victory at the season opening Sandown round handed Shahin the early lead in the class, though an impressive run of form from Gilbertson, which included eight wins from the past nine races, placed the Queenslander seven points ahead with three races remaining.
“I can’t wait for Phillip Island,” said Gilbertson. “I’m just going to continue doing the same thing that I’ve been doing. I’ve focused on being aggressive in qualifying and making sure I gain strong starts and remain clean throughout the races.
“Hopefully if I do that I can gain the points needed at Phillip Island to be on top by the end of the season.”
While unlikely, John Karytinos and John Morriss also remain in contention for the Elite Class victory.
Meanwhile Jordan Love’s record-breaking season at the front of the field, in which he has become the first driver to score ten straight race wins, places him as firm favourite to become the 2017 Outright and Professional Class champion.
Love needs to claim a top-eight finish in race one to secure the title, and the West Australian is eager to continue his record-setting win streak.
“There are still three more races to go in the championship and plenty of points up for grabs. We’ll go into Phillip Island with the same attitude as I entered Queensland Raceway and try to come away with a few more wins and, importantly, the series title,” said Love.
Brenton Grove sits second in the Outright and Professional Class standings after an ultra-consistent season, which has seen him place in the top three in all but one race throughout the opening five rounds.
While David Greig secured the Class B title at the penultimate Queensland Raceway event, the addition of Brendon Cook and Andrew Goldie will make for a tremendous battle in the class for first generation 997-series 911 GT3 Cup cars.
The final round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge will be held across the Friday and Saturday of the Shannons Nationals sixth round.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Entry List – Round 6 – Phillip Island
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 McElrea Racing (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#22 Andrew Goldie (Class B)
#23 Grove Motorsport Pty Ltd (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#65 Ben Stack (Elite Class) DNA Racing
#78 Group Racing (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
We’ve got more of the latest national motorsport news in the next issue of Auto Action magazine, on sale Thursday. We’ll also keep you update with all the action from the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island, including a livestream, on our website throughout the weekend. Make sure follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our Weekly Newsletter.
