Record grids coming to Adelaide

There will be record-breaking grids coming to the streets of Adelaide thanks to the Porsche Carrera Cup and V8 SuperUtes.

With 29 Porsches set to race, 2024 will be the largest Adelaide 500 field in Carrera Cup history.

It eclipses the 27 cars that took part in the opening round at Albert Park.

Anthony Di Mauro is one of the additions making his Carrera Cup debut on his home street race.

Di Mauro will be driving for a new team called MVA Racing, that is spearheaded by Super2 driver and former Carrera Cup driver Max Vidau.

At the other end of the experience spectrum is David Wall, who would become the second driver to notch up 250 race starts.

Unlike last year, there is no doubt, who is the king of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in 2024.

The entire season has been utterly dominated by Harri Jones, who has returned to the category with a bang.

After winning the title in 2022, Jones went global last year and competed in Mobil 1 Super Cup and he has used that experience to obliterate the opposition in his return to Australia.

The Porsche Centre Melbourne driver has won 12 of the 21 races so far to enjoy an unassailable 181-point advantage over David Russell.

Jones went on a special seven-race unbeaten run from Darwin to Sandown, which orchestrated his run to become just the second driver ever to win multiple Carrera Cup crowns alongside Craig Baird.

All eyes will be on the fight for second with Russell sitting pretty with a 91-point buffer, but still has to shake off the likes of Dylan O’Keeffe, Jackson Walls and Bailey Hall, who are all spread within 31 points.

Hall thrusted himself into the conversation after a special clean sweep on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

Despite only taking two podiums in the previous 18 races, the Gold Coast local took all three wins in the penultimate round.

Harri Jones leads the Carrera Cup field at Bathurst. image: Mark Horsburgh

But the driver that is sixth in the standings and 203 points behind Russell, Dale Wood, could be the one to watch.

Although a win has remained elusive in 2024, Wood can turn to 12 months ago for confidence as he won all three races on the streets of Adelaide.

The Pro Am title is also a formality, having been dominated by Adrian Flack.

But one prize still up for grabs is the Endurance Cup with only 10 points splitting Jones and Walls.

A maximum capacity field of 24 Utes will also be on the streets of Adelaide for the sixth and final round of the season.

In addition to the great news that sees the culmination of a three-year growth strategy, a thrilling title fight is in prospect as the top three drivers are split by just seven points.

V8 SuperUte Series category operations manager Filippa Guarna was elated and hopes this is just the start of capacity fields.

“Every category has a grid number that allows it to operate the most productive off track, with maximum entertainment on track, while also being efficient onsite for event organisers, and 24 was always the goal for us,” she said.

“But the plan isn’t just about having 24 V8 SuperUtes at one round though. 

“We’ve been working hard on a new shareholding restructure with our teams that will ensure we have a consistent 24-car field at every round moving forward.

“With a conscious effort made by management the last few years to streamline operations, increase new builds and welcome new competitors, the series has delivered on what it set out to do and that is consistent, solid growth.

“Considering where the category was just three years ago, this is hugely exciting going into 2025!”

There is nothing in it as the fight for the 2024 V8 SuperUte Series crown goes down to the wire in Adelaide.

After five rounds incredibly just seven points split the top three in the championship, while up to seven drivers remain in contention, effectively making it a winner-takes-all finale at Adelaide.

After a productive trip to the Gold Coast, Cameron Crick has his nose marginally ahead.

He holds a three-point advantage over Adam Marjoram, who is desperate to get his hands on the trophy after coming so close last year.

A tough time at Surfers Paradise means Aaron Borg’s dream of a hat-trick took a significant hit.

He lost the best part of 100 points in the penultimate round, seeing his advantage disappear.

Whilst nothing separates the top three, the likes of David Sieders, Cody Brewczynski and rookie Jayden Wanzek are all less than 100 points away, while Ryan Hoy and Jimmy Vernon are still mathematical chances.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Adelaide entry list

V8 SuperUte Series Adelaide entry list

#1 Aaron Borg, Team Motion Racing (Isuzu D-MAX)
#3 David Sieders, Yuasa Batteries Racing (Mazda BT-50)
#7 Cameron Crick, SCTR Racing (Ford Ranger)
#8 Ben Walsh, Western Sydney Motorsport (Toyota HiLux)
#9 Amar Sharma, City Rural Insurance Brokers (Mazda BT-50)
#15 Adam Marjoram, Team Motion Racing (Isuzu D-MAX)
#18 Cody Brewczynski, Wanless (Toyota HiLux)
#19 George Gutierrez, JC Energy (Holden Colorado)
#26 Luke Webber, SCM Mechanics (Mazda BT-50)
#41 Adrian Cottrell, Team Forty One (Holden Colorado)
#45 Craig Dontas, 1800 Hose Van / Xpress Fleet (Mitsubishi Triton)
#50 Jimmy Vernon, Fluid Film Racing (Mitsubishi Triton)
#55 Michael Sherwell, Nova Air and Electrical (Mitsubishi Triton)
#58 Ryal Harris, EFS 4×4 Accessories (Mazda BT-50)
#64 Craig Woods, Western Sydney Motorsport (Toyota HiLux)
#76 Ellexandra Best, Best Leisure Industries (Mazda BT-50)
#77 Richard Mork, City Rural Photography (Ford Ranger)
#88 Jason Norris, Auto Masters Racing (Toyota HiLux)
#90 Jayden Wanzek, Carryboy (Mitsubishi Triton)

#125 Ryan How, Gtechniq Racing (Ford Ranger)
#222 Scott Taylor, Scott Taylor Motorsport-Ford Ranger
#333 Rossi Johnson, Apogee Motorsport (Holden Colorado)
#777 Holly Espray, Uniden HER (Isuzu D-MAX)
#805 Jensen Engelhardt, AIV Racing (Toyota HiLux)

So, enjoy the latest FREE digital issue of Auto Action magazine – everything motorsport all in one place!

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.