Vidau cruises to victory in Carrera Cup opener

Max Vidau has won a rain-soaked Race 2 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship, comfortably cruising to victory in the dwindling light at Albert Park.

Steering the #72 TekworkX Motorsport entry, Vidau was relatively unchallenged after taking an early lead, storming to a convincing win in the 13-lap affair.

Starting from the front row alongside Kiwi Callum Hedge, Vidau expertly navigated a tricky start in wet conditions to head the field after some door-to-door action with the former.

While the rest of the field got away cleanly, it didn’t take long before a couple of cars were turned around the wrong way – Tim Miles and Sam Shahin tangled at Turn 3, bringing both to a temporary halt.

Back at the front of the field, Vidau, Hedge and Jackson Walls were quick to separate themselves from the rest, the trio 5s clear of O’Keeffe in no time.

Large gaps began to form between the competitors, with most drivers taking a cautious approach, but Dylan O’Keeffe proved to be a big slider, dropping from fourth to outside the top 10.

Vidau quickly showed himself to be the dominant force of the day, romping to a massive advantage as Hedge and Walls battled behind.

Adrian Flack was one of a few drivers to have an excursion off the track, sliding through the grass at Turn 10 on lap 8.

A battle between Hedge and Maxwell raged at the same time, with the latter desperately attempting to find a way through as Vidau and Walls enjoyed clean air ahead.

Hedge and Maxwell traded positions in their entertaining bout, but it was the Team Porsche New Zealand man who came out on top.

Things soured quickly for Maxwell, who then slid into the gravel trap without assistance with just one lap remaining, scuppering his chances of a podium.

In the end, Vidau led Walls and Hedge to the line, with Nick McBride and Dale Wood coming in fourth and fifth.

David Russell and Angelo Mouzouris climbed up the order to finish sixth and seventh, while Bayley Hall, Alex Davison and Christian Pancione rounded out the top 10.

After a nightmare race, O’Keeffe failed to finish.

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