| Round | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit | Mar 12 - 14 |
| Round 2 | Sydney Motorsport Park | May 1 - 2 |
| Round 3 | Morgan Park | Jun 25 - 27 |
| Round 4 | Sandown Raceway | Sep 17 - 19 |
| Round 5 | The Bend Motorsport Park | Oct 15 - 17 |
| Round 6 | Bathurst International | TBC |
Standings
Mobil Pro
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Suhle | 115 |
| 2 | Callum Hedge | 96 |
| 3 | Christian Pancione | 84 |
| 4 | Courtney Prince | 84 |
Morris Finance Pro-Am
| Position | Driver | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathew Belford | 114 |
| 2 | Sam Shahin | 109 |
| 3 | David Grieg | 84 |
| 4 | Michael Hovey | 80 |
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Suhle and Belford take Phillip Island round wins after accident red flags Race 3
McGregor, Hovey and Gliksten all discharged from medical centre after Race 3 accident
The final race of the Round 1 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series in Phillip Island, was red flagged soon after the race start after Jonathan Gliksten and Michael Hovey made contact on the exit of turn 2.
The altercation between the two Morris Finance Pro-Am drivers also sandwiched an unlucky Ross McGregor against the inside tyre wall. While all three drivers were taken to the Phillip Island medical centre and later discharged, all three Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars were severely damaged and had to be recovered from the circuit.
As a result of the incident, race 3 was red flagged by the Motorsport Australia officials and Gliksten was handed 10 series points penalty. He will also have to start from the rear of the grid for the first race of round 2.
The round win in each class was then based on the performance of the drivers in Races 1 and 2, which saw Ryan Suhle take the overall win in Mobil Pro from Callum Hedge and Christian Pancione.
Ryan Suhle (Mobil Pro winner): “It was great to get the first race win yesterday and obviously in the wet it was pretty interesting for Race 2. It was the first time for me in the rain in one of these Cup cars and I certainly found out that it bites sometimes. I was just happy to recover through the field to second.”
“While today was a little disappointing as we all want to go racing, we’re also just glad that the guys are all ok. Overall, it’s great to come away from the weekend with the championship lead.”
Matthew Belford took his maiden round win in Morris Finance Pro-Am, from Sam Shahin and David Greig.
Matthew Belford (winner Morris Finance Pro-Am) said: “It was a great weekend, but finishing with a red flagged race was unfortunate, but we all just really glad the guys are ok. My weekend was good, qualifying I was fourth and fought my way to second in race 1 while race 2 was just wild. I was just thrilled to take the overall round win.”
“It was only three years ago I was doing track days and went on to do the Porsche Experience Driver Training up in Queensland. I enjoyed that and bought a Cup Car and started doing Sprint Challenge and now within just a few years, I have my first race (and round) win. I can’t thank the whole Porsche Centre Melbourne team enough especially Karl Batson and Nick McBride.”
The next round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park on the 01-02 May.
Belford and Hedge take maiden wins in rain affected Race 2
Round 1, Phillip Island, Race 1 and 2 review
Phillip Island serves up wet and dry conditions for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season opener
After a 16-month break, twenty Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 91 GT3 Cup cars lined-up for Race 1 of the 2021 season. Overcast, breezy conditions had replaced the sunshine and blue skies of Friday’s qualifying. While the asphalt for Saturday’s opening sprint race would be dry, a huge rain front was on the weather radar for later in the day.
Pole sitter Ryan Suhle made clean start to lead the Mobil Pro field into the first turn, followed by debutants Bayley Hall and Courtney Prince in close attendance. Callum Hedge struggled to get his Team Porsche New Zealand 911 GT3 Cup car off-the-line dropping three places. Morris Finance Pro-Am top qualifier, Sam Shahin had to take evasive action to miss Hedge, but as a result found himself in fourth position overall after lap 1 just behind the leading Mobil Pro trio.
Matthew Belford had also made a strong start from tenth on the grid, jumping three spots into second in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class. Belford was closely followed by David Greig, Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires for the opening laps.
Suhle quickly amassed a 2.2 sec lead at the front of the field, while Pires and Tom Taplin dropped down the order after early off-track incidents. After Christian Pancione and Callum Hedge caught and passed Shahin, attention then switched to the battle between Hall and Prince for second position.
Hall and Prince were locked in battle for the entire race holding their podium positions to the line. They were followed home by Pancione in fourth and a recovering Hedge in fifth. Despite a small lock-up toward the end of the race, Suhle looked unfazed and controlled the gap to the chasing pack throughout the race. The McElrea Racing driver eventually crossed the line 1.6secs ahead of his teammate, Hall.
Shahin meanwhile would grow his advantage over the Morris Finance Pro-Am throughout the race and cross the line first in the class. Behind Shahin great racing had ensued throughout the field between Matthew Belford, David Greig and Marcel Zalloua. Michael Hovey and Shane Barwood too were locked in an intense battle further down the order, until Barwood spun late in the race, allowing Hovey to come home in 14th.
As predicted a huge rain front hit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit around midday, forcing the officials to declare a wet race for the second sprint race. The sodden conditions saw the field start behind the pace car as a precaution. Suhle would jump the field at the restart and pull out a 2.5 sec lead by the end of the first lap. The McElrea Racing driver then set the fastest lap of the race – nearly 4 seconds faster than his nearest rival at that point- until spinning under brakes at the turn 3 hairpin. On the same lap, Shahin would ironically also spin at the same corner dropping him down the order to 13th overall.
With Suhle and Shahin started their recoveries through the rain and field, Courtney Prince seized the opportunity for the overall lead at the front of the field, overtaking Bayley Hall. The Team Porsche New Zealand entry of Callum Hedge was on the move however and would catch the pair, setting the second fastest lap of the race.
After overtaking both Hall and Prince, the young Team Porsche New Zealand driver would tenaciously hold onto that lead for the remainder of the incident marred race, giving the Earl Bamber Motorsport team their first race victory in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series on debut.
After an impressive drive, Prince would spin late in the second race and eventually finish the race in fifth. Bayley Hall’s equally impressive weekend would come to an unfortunate end in the dying laps due after making contact with a recovering Shane Barwood on the main straight. Hall was lying a strong third in Mobil Pro class until that point. Unfortunately the damage sustained in the incident, saw both Hall and Barwood’s cars retired for the weekend, but thankfully neither driver was hurt in the incident.
Suhle would eventually recover to second behind Hedge by the time the flag fell, with Tom Taplin coming home third. Despite several cars struggling in the worsening conditions, it was Matthew Belford who would emerge unscathed to take his maiden Morris Finance Pro-Am victory for the Porsche Centre Melbourne team, ahead of Michael Hovey and Shahin.
The third and final race of the weekend will also be the longest (45 minutes) on Sunday morning and gets underway at 10:05am AEDT. The race will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
For Race 1 and 2 results visit: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Suhle and Shahin top Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge qualifying
Round 1, Phillip Island, Qualifying
Sunshine and warm track temperatures greeted teams as they ventured onto the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season.
As expected McElrea Racing’s Ryan Suhle topped the timesheets in both the Friday practice sessions. Suhle’s advantage over the chasing Mobil Pro field in the day’s final qualifying session was 0.4secs, in a dominant display from the Michelin Junior driver.
Just behind Suhle was a trio of newcomers to the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Mobil Pro class including Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing), Callum Hedge (Porsche Team New Zealand) and Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing), who all improved and impressed throughout the days sessions.
“It was good to take poll on that last lap and come across the line in a good position for tomorrow’s race. After the break last year, it was great to have a strong result and some seat time in Sandown last December. That race really helped today, as any time in the car counts and was good preparation for this year” Suhle said.
“2021 is going to be a really competitive season, as it always is in Sprint Challenge. But that’s what you want in a series and a good line-up of drivers is great for the whole series.”
Sam Shahin looks to have started this season where he left off in 2019. The reigning Morris Finance Pro-Am Champion, dominated all three Friday sessions in his brightly liveried HTFU Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, prepared by Buick Motorsport. The South Australian was kept honest throughout the day by a hard charging Sergio Pires and former Class B front runner, David Greig.
After qualifying, Shahin, who celebrates his 100th start in the series in Sunday’s final race, was very happy with his performance after a massive accident sidelined The Bend Motorsport Park CEO in the Bathurst 12-hour a year ago,
Shahin enthused, “I’m very thrilled on so many fronts. I can’t believe I’m in a race car to start with and everyone in the Pro-Am class is fast this year. All the drivers here went out of the gate very fast this morning, but that is what it should be.”
“This is a track that rewards bravery and commitment. Everyone has done exceptionally well and it’s great that there were no incidents throughout the day,” Shahin concluded.
Saturday sees two sprint races taking place in what looks to be a very wet weekend according to the weather forecast. The Michelin wet tyres are likely to be working to their optimum with between 5 to 10mm predicted for tomorrow. Race 1 gets underway at 10:30 AEDT, followed by the second sprint race at 15:05 AEDT. Both races will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
Full results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 3 interviews
We catch up with Ryan Suhle and Matthew Belford after Round 1
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 3 Highlights
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge after accident red flags Race 3
2019 Round 6 – The Bend Motorsport Park
Image Gallery
Solid 20-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid for Phillip Island
Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am entries announced ahead of season opener
After a 16-month forced break as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge teams mark their return to the track this weekend at one of Australia’s most iconic race circuits.
Round 1 will see a grid of twenty (20) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars take to the Phillip Island Grand Prix start line, with the premier Mobil Pro class featuring some of the country’s top junior drivers and the Morris Finance Pro-Am class destined to be one of the mostly hotly contested in the series history.
McElrea Racing teammates Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione carry strong momentum into the 2021 season after strong performances in both the 2019 series and the more recent Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup one-off event at the Sandown International Raceway last December.
South Australian, Tom Taplin returns as well for 2021 and will again be an ever present contender for race honours. Set to challenge the established trio of Michelin Juniors is a swathe of talented newcomers all with strong racing pedigrees. The challengers include Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing); Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing) and the Porsche Team New Zealand pairing of Callum Hedge and Madeline Stewart (Earl Bamber Motorsport).
2019 Morris Finance Pro-Am champion, Sam Shahin returns to defend his class title, but will face strong opposition this season from the likes of Andrew Goldie and David Greig, who have made the step up from the 997 Class. Other experienced contenders expected to challenge the front trio include: Matthew Belford, Ross McGregor, Michael Hovey, Sergio Pires, Marcel Zalloua, Jonathan Gliksten, Shane Barwood, Graham Williams and Nathan Murray, while Terrance Knowles makes his debut in the series with Ash Seward Motorsport.
After two practice sessions and a 20-minute qualifying on Friday 12 March, teams contest two sprint races on Saturday, followed by a final 45-minute race on Sunday morning. All three races will be broadcast live on the 7plus app. The app is free to download and accessible from any computer, smart tv, or mobile phone, together with replays of each race on demand.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
ENTRY LIST: Round 1 – Phillip Island
# DRIVER SURNAME SPONSOR Class
3 Jonathan Gliksten Racing to beat FA Morris Finance Pro-Am
5 Nathan Murray Garage 1 Morris Finance Pro-Am
7 Ryan Suhle Latitude Coffee Mobil Pro
8 Madeline Stewart Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
9 Callum Hedge Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
13 Sam Shahin HTFU / OTR Morris Finance Pro-Am
14 Matthew Belford ID Land Morris Finance Pro-Am
17 Marcel Zalloua Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
21 Shane Barwood Morris Finance Pro-Am
22 Andrew Goldie Cirrus Aircraft Morris Finance Pro-Am
26 Tom Taplin Taplin Real Estate Mobil Pro
28 Bayley Hall Siebe Gorman Mobil Pro
32 Courtney Prince Sonic Motor Racing Mobil Pro
55 Sergio Pires Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
68 Terrance Knowles Ash Seward Motorsport Morris Finance Pro-Am
73 Michael Hovey HHH Racing / Triffid Morris Finance Pro-Am
76 Christian Pancione VCM Performance Mobil Pro
87 David Greig David Greig Morris Finance Pro-Am
99 Ross McGregor Southern Star Windows Morris Finance Pro-Am
131 Graham Williams Sonic Motor Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Round 1 – Phillip Island
Race 1: Sat 13 March 10:30-10:55 7plus
Race 2: Sat 13 March 15:05-15:25 7plus
Race 3: Sun 14 March 10:05-10:50 7plus
Coffex Coffee Roasters renews partnership with Porsche Cars Australia for 2021 season
Coffex to keep the Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Sprint Challenge teams energized for 2021
An integral part of the service Porsche provides to its teams and drivers at each event would only be possible with the support of partners Coffex Coffee Roasters, who have renewed their support of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
Coffex has been closely aligned with the Carrera Cup Australia series since the start of the 2015 season when it began as the Official Coffee Supplier of Australia’s premier one-make series, providing coffee, tea and associated products to all involved in each series.
The Coffex Coffee bar is traditionally the most popular feature within the Carrera Cup Australia hospitality lounge at each event and provides a place for teams, partners and drivers to relax and enjoy premium, locally roasted – and, above all, the freshest – coffee from professional baristas.
For 2021, the proudly Melbourne brand will again receive integrated Coffex branding in the Porsche hospitality area, on every vehicle, and communications across Porsche’s websites and social media channels. Coffex also continues as the naming rights partner to an exclusive behind-the-scenes video series, dubbed the Coffex Backstage Pass.
The series will be shot by Porsche at each Carrera Cup event and give fans an insight into the Porsche life at every circuit, by showcasing profiles on leading teams, drivers and personnel as well as highlighting aspects of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship that set it apart from other categories in Australia.
Quotes:
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with Coffex Coffee Roasters into the 2021 season. The benefits Coffex provide at each event play a crucial role in the overall racing experience for our drivers, teams, sponsors and this is evident from the tremendous feedback we receive. The 2021 partnership is vital in allowing us to continue to enhance and innovate the on- and off-track experiences for our motorsport customers.”
Coffex Coffee Roasters, Managing Director, Fong Loong: “We are once again, very proud to be the Official Coffee Supplier of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series. With the Coffex Backstage Pass, we would like to give audiences a glimpse into the role that Coffex Coffee Roasters plays behind the scenes at every race. The event is truly a highlight in the Australian events calendar for us and we look forward to supporting Porsche Cars Australia for many more years.”
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
About Coffex Coffee Roasters:
Born in 1959, Coffex Coffee Roasters has a rich and diverse heritage in Melbourne. Our founding goal was to deliver premium, locally roasted and, above all, the freshest coffee to baristas and coffee lovers – and we have been doing so, ever since. Locally roasted in Brunswick, Victoria; Coffex Coffee Roasters is now one of the largest coffee roasters in the southern hemisphere. As part of its partnership with Porsche, Coffex’s perennial crowd favorite and multiple award winner – Superbar blend is served in the Porsche Lounge at every Carrera Cup Australia event.
Coffex Coffee Roasters – https://www.coffex.com.au/
For more coffee information and videos, follow the Coffex Coffee Roasters social pages: Instagram – @CoffexCoffeeRoasters / Twitter – @CoffexCoffee / Facebook.com/CoffexCoffee
Coffex Backstage Pass
VIDEO: Episode 1 – Richard Crail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UysKeK7Ykk
VIDEO: Episode 2 – Michael Ritter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fx-UwwgJcE
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 2 interviews
Callum Hedge (Mobil Pro) and Matthew Belford (Morris Finance Pro-Am) speak to us after their debut wins in the series
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 2 Highlights
Race 2 Highlights from Round 1, Phillip Island, 2021
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 1 interviews
We catch-up with Ryan Suhle (Mobil Pro) and Sam Shahin (Morris Finance Pro-Am) following Race 1
2019 Phillip Island – Sunday
Mobil renews Naming Rights partnership of Porsche’s Mobil Pro Category
Mobil to continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche one-make series
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that Mobil will continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series this season.
As the “Official Partner” of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Mobil also continue as naming rights to its premier class within both series and will be referred to the ‘Mobil Pro Class’ in all official communications, including Porsche press releases, websites and social media accounts.
The partnership with Mobil provides a range of benefits to both parties ensuring that all cars competing in both series will run on Mobil’s Synergy Supreme+ 98 octane fuel product moving forward.
This enhances Porsche’s long term partnership with Mobil 1 ensuring that both Mobil Synergy fuels and Mobil 1 lubricants will be delivered in all Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars in each series.
In addition to the naming rights, Mobil receives extensive branding on all Pro Class cars on the front windscreen together with the side mirrors, rear windscreen, side panels, inside drivers panels and in-car cameras. The Mobil logo will also be present on the podium backdrop and team garages for each Pro Car competing in the Carrera Cup championship this year.
Further to these benefits, a range of money can’t buy experiences will be delivered throughout the year that will provide the chance for race fans and Mobil customers to enjoy the Porsche road cars at a range of exclusive events.
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are pleased to renew our partnership with a quality fuel supplier for both series and continue to have Mobil as the Naming Rights partner to our Pro class this season. Our premier one-make series provides Mobil a prime platform to showcase their product to our drivers, teams and customers, as well as amplify their product attributes to Porsche customers both on and off the racetrack. The partnership further enhances our existing long term partnership with Mobil1, our Official Lubricant Partner to both series.”
Mobil Australia Retail Sales Manager, Charles Ewart: “Mobil is committed to supporting Australian drivers and the Porsche race series and is very proud to announce our partnership with premium car manufacture Porsche. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of our world renowned engine protecting Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology to Australians”.
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
About Mobil Synergy Fuels:
At Mobil, it’s all about the details and bringing quality fuels to every driver, all across Australia. That’s why we’re committed to getting performance enhancing additives that protect your engine from the very first fill, clean your engine and improve engine performance into every Mobil branded service station across Australia. You can trust that Mobil has your fuelling needs sorted with Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology. This is one more way our fuels work harder for you every day, and one more reason to refuel at Mobil. Because every drive matters.
Morris Finance partners with Porsche Motorsport series in Australia
Morris Finance secures Naming Rights to Pro-Am Championships for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
National Commercial Finance and Leasing leaders Morris Finance have secured the naming rights to the hotly contested Pro-Am Championships across both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
As part of the agreement, Morris Finance will gain significant visibility with both Australia’s premier one-make series, with extensive branding across Pro-Am Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars competing in both series. They will also feature across both podium and media backdrops at every event, as well as Pro-Am team garages and various event related branding around the Carrera Cup Australia drivers lounge and pit garages.
Morris Finance will also offer a range of finance solutions to Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series customers delivering financial solutions for a range of their needs, including race cars, transporters, equipment and more.
The deal follows Morris Finance’s continued commitment to its long-term relationship with Walkinshaw Andretti United in Supercars, Motorsport Australia, The Bend Motorsport Park, and their community program which involves drivers Nick Percat and Jaxon Evans.
Porsche Cars Australia will also provide several bespoke experiences for Morris Finance VIP customers at premier Carrera Cup Australia events throughout the year.
To support these VIP Customer experiences, Morris Finance will run a promotion that provides the opportunity for customers to win an ultimate giveaway to the final Carrera Cup Australia round on the Gold Coast.
This increased partnership builds upon the support Morris Finance has given to both categories to date – having previously supported the Sports Person of the Year Award – as well as their long term support of 2018 Carrera Cup Champion, Jaxon Evans, who continues to forge his international motorsport career abroad.
The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series will get underway at Sandown International Raceway in mid-March, with the series concluding alongside Supercars on the streets of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in early December.
Quotes:
PCA’s Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Morris Finance, which delivers value to them across numerous key partnership pillars including branding; digital and social media; events; promotions; hospitality; experiences and business development. Morris Finance has been a strong supporter of both series, either in a category level or driver perspective, and it’s great to have them on board as our naming rights partner of the Pro-Am Championships of both categories.
Morris Finance Marketing Manager, Tiffany Hunt: “As a proud Australian business operating on a national level, we take great pride in partnering with such a strong global brand and are delighted to be partnering with Porsche Motorsport Australia as the Official Finance Partner. With this alliance, we are looking forward to creating unmatched experiences for our national broker, client, investor and referrer markets”.
About Morris Finance:
Based in Geelong, Victoria, Morris Finance is Australian owned and one of Australia’s leading finance companies, providing asset finance, investment, leasing and insurance services to ABN Holders; Registered Companies; Individuals and Sole Traders.
For more Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia news and content follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to join C0₂ offset program, Porsche Impact
Porsche Motorsport Australia racing series to be integrated into Porsche sustainability initiative
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that it will integrate both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia (PCCA) and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia (PSCA) series into the newly launched Porsche Impact Program in Australia. Porsche Impact Program is a C0₂ compensation scheme offering Porsche customers the option to calculate and offset their personal carbon footprint.
PCA commits to compensating the C0₂ footprint of the 911 GT3 Cup cars racing in PCCA and PSCA in the 2021 Season. The financial contribution is based on an estimated annual mileage and consumption during the scheduled Rounds. The monetary compensation will be calculated by using an emission calculator and directed to financially support two selected Australian environmental projects in partnership with South Pole after the 2021 season concludes.
The two certified offset initiatives, also offered to Porsche Customers as a part of the scheme are:
Mount Sandy:
The first project is Mount Sandy, located between the Coorong National Park and Lake Albert in South Australia. It is a pocket of intact native vegetation in a region dominated by farmlands, Mount Sandy brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to promote land conservation methods that have been used by the Traditional owners of the land, the Ngarrindjeri people, for thousands of years. The 200 hectare site ensures permanent protection for all biodiversity, which is a unique mix of coastal shrublands and saline swamplands. The site provides habitat for iconic native wildlife, such as the short-beaked echidna, purple-gaped honeyeater and elegant parrot.
Myanmyn:
The second local initiative is the Myamyn project at Annya State Forest, located in south-western Victoria. The habitat is home to numerous vulnerable and endangered plant and animal species. The Myamyn project works to protect and rehabilitate the site after clearing and the introduction of an invasive eucalyptus species occurred in 1997. So far 20 hectares of cleared land have been rehabilitated with a total of 200 hectares protected against further clearing.
About Porsche Impact:
Porsche Cars Australia is participating in the Porsche Impact program, which was developed by Porsche AG in association with its subsidiary Porsche Digital. The estimated 2020 CO2 emissions of the Porsche Cars Australia fleet of cars have been offset using Porsche Impact. This includes company cars, press cars and vehicles dedicated to the Porsche Track Experience program.
The sports car manufacturer is committed to reducing CO2 emissions. In doing so, Porsche considers the entire value creation chain: from suppliers, to the product, to after sales and recycling. Today, Porsche AG uses 100% green energy for production and rail logistics. In Australia, Porsche also prioritises other sustainability measures like solar power and tyre recycling.
Quotes:
Sam Curtis, CEO & Managing Director, Porsche Cars Australia: “Sustainability is an essential pillar of our corporate strategy at Porsche. The global approach to sustainability at Porsche is holistic, working in all fields of action: ecological, economic and social.”
For more information about Porsche Impact visit: https://www.porsche.com/australia/aboutporsche/responsibility/porscheimpact/
Round 1 2021 – Phillip Island – Friday wrap
Sights and sounds from the first day of 2021 season at Phillip Island
Round 1 2021 – Phillip Island – Friday Qualifying
Trackside for Round 1, Phillip Island Qualifying
2019 Phillip Island – Saturday
2019 Phillip Island – Friday
Suhle and Belford take Phillip Island round wins after accident red flags Race 3
McGregor, Hovey and Gliksten all discharged from medical centre after Race 3 accident
The final race of the Round 1 of Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series in Phillip Island, was red flagged soon after the race start after Jonathan Gliksten and Michael Hovey made contact on the exit of turn 2.
The altercation between the two Morris Finance Pro-Am drivers also sandwiched an unlucky Ross McGregor against the inside tyre wall. While all three drivers were taken to the Phillip Island medical centre and later discharged, all three Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars were severely damaged and had to be recovered from the circuit.
As a result of the incident, race 3 was red flagged by the Motorsport Australia officials and Gliksten was handed 10 series points penalty. He will also have to start from the rear of the grid for the first race of round 2.
The round win in each class was then based on the performance of the drivers in Races 1 and 2, which saw Ryan Suhle take the overall win in Mobil Pro from Callum Hedge and Christian Pancione.
Ryan Suhle (Mobil Pro winner): “It was great to get the first race win yesterday and obviously in the wet it was pretty interesting for Race 2. It was the first time for me in the rain in one of these Cup cars and I certainly found out that it bites sometimes. I was just happy to recover through the field to second.”
“While today was a little disappointing as we all want to go racing, we’re also just glad that the guys are all ok. Overall, it’s great to come away from the weekend with the championship lead.”
Matthew Belford took his maiden round win in Morris Finance Pro-Am, from Sam Shahin and David Greig.
Matthew Belford (winner Morris Finance Pro-Am) said: “It was a great weekend, but finishing with a red flagged race was unfortunate, but we all just really glad the guys are ok. My weekend was good, qualifying I was fourth and fought my way to second in race 1 while race 2 was just wild. I was just thrilled to take the overall round win.”
“It was only three years ago I was doing track days and went on to do the Porsche Experience Driver Training up in Queensland. I enjoyed that and bought a Cup Car and started doing Sprint Challenge and now within just a few years, I have my first race (and round) win. I can’t thank the whole Porsche Centre Melbourne team enough especially Karl Batson and Nick McBride.”
The next round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series takes place at Sydney Motorsport Park on the 01-02 May.
Belford and Hedge take maiden wins in rain affected Race 2
Round 1, Phillip Island, Race 1 and 2 review
Phillip Island serves up wet and dry conditions for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season opener
After a 16-month break, twenty Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge 91 GT3 Cup cars lined-up for Race 1 of the 2021 season. Overcast, breezy conditions had replaced the sunshine and blue skies of Friday’s qualifying. While the asphalt for Saturday’s opening sprint race would be dry, a huge rain front was on the weather radar for later in the day.
Pole sitter Ryan Suhle made clean start to lead the Mobil Pro field into the first turn, followed by debutants Bayley Hall and Courtney Prince in close attendance. Callum Hedge struggled to get his Team Porsche New Zealand 911 GT3 Cup car off-the-line dropping three places. Morris Finance Pro-Am top qualifier, Sam Shahin had to take evasive action to miss Hedge, but as a result found himself in fourth position overall after lap 1 just behind the leading Mobil Pro trio.
Matthew Belford had also made a strong start from tenth on the grid, jumping three spots into second in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class. Belford was closely followed by David Greig, Marcel Zalloua and Sergio Pires for the opening laps.
Suhle quickly amassed a 2.2 sec lead at the front of the field, while Pires and Tom Taplin dropped down the order after early off-track incidents. After Christian Pancione and Callum Hedge caught and passed Shahin, attention then switched to the battle between Hall and Prince for second position.
Hall and Prince were locked in battle for the entire race holding their podium positions to the line. They were followed home by Pancione in fourth and a recovering Hedge in fifth. Despite a small lock-up toward the end of the race, Suhle looked unfazed and controlled the gap to the chasing pack throughout the race. The McElrea Racing driver eventually crossed the line 1.6secs ahead of his teammate, Hall.
Shahin meanwhile would grow his advantage over the Morris Finance Pro-Am throughout the race and cross the line first in the class. Behind Shahin great racing had ensued throughout the field between Matthew Belford, David Greig and Marcel Zalloua. Michael Hovey and Shane Barwood too were locked in an intense battle further down the order, until Barwood spun late in the race, allowing Hovey to come home in 14th.
As predicted a huge rain front hit the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit around midday, forcing the officials to declare a wet race for the second sprint race. The sodden conditions saw the field start behind the pace car as a precaution. Suhle would jump the field at the restart and pull out a 2.5 sec lead by the end of the first lap. The McElrea Racing driver then set the fastest lap of the race – nearly 4 seconds faster than his nearest rival at that point- until spinning under brakes at the turn 3 hairpin. On the same lap, Shahin would ironically also spin at the same corner dropping him down the order to 13th overall.
With Suhle and Shahin started their recoveries through the rain and field, Courtney Prince seized the opportunity for the overall lead at the front of the field, overtaking Bayley Hall. The Team Porsche New Zealand entry of Callum Hedge was on the move however and would catch the pair, setting the second fastest lap of the race.
After overtaking both Hall and Prince, the young Team Porsche New Zealand driver would tenaciously hold onto that lead for the remainder of the incident marred race, giving the Earl Bamber Motorsport team their first race victory in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series on debut.
After an impressive drive, Prince would spin late in the second race and eventually finish the race in fifth. Bayley Hall’s equally impressive weekend would come to an unfortunate end in the dying laps due after making contact with a recovering Shane Barwood on the main straight. Hall was lying a strong third in Mobil Pro class until that point. Unfortunately the damage sustained in the incident, saw both Hall and Barwood’s cars retired for the weekend, but thankfully neither driver was hurt in the incident.
Suhle would eventually recover to second behind Hedge by the time the flag fell, with Tom Taplin coming home third. Despite several cars struggling in the worsening conditions, it was Matthew Belford who would emerge unscathed to take his maiden Morris Finance Pro-Am victory for the Porsche Centre Melbourne team, ahead of Michael Hovey and Shahin.
The third and final race of the weekend will also be the longest (45 minutes) on Sunday morning and gets underway at 10:05am AEDT. The race will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
For Race 1 and 2 results visit: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Suhle and Shahin top Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge qualifying
Round 1, Phillip Island, Qualifying
Sunshine and warm track temperatures greeted teams as they ventured onto the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season.
As expected McElrea Racing’s Ryan Suhle topped the timesheets in both the Friday practice sessions. Suhle’s advantage over the chasing Mobil Pro field in the day’s final qualifying session was 0.4secs, in a dominant display from the Michelin Junior driver.
Just behind Suhle was a trio of newcomers to the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Mobil Pro class including Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing), Callum Hedge (Porsche Team New Zealand) and Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing), who all improved and impressed throughout the days sessions.
“It was good to take poll on that last lap and come across the line in a good position for tomorrow’s race. After the break last year, it was great to have a strong result and some seat time in Sandown last December. That race really helped today, as any time in the car counts and was good preparation for this year” Suhle said.
“2021 is going to be a really competitive season, as it always is in Sprint Challenge. But that’s what you want in a series and a good line-up of drivers is great for the whole series.”
Sam Shahin looks to have started this season where he left off in 2019. The reigning Morris Finance Pro-Am Champion, dominated all three Friday sessions in his brightly liveried HTFU Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, prepared by Buick Motorsport. The South Australian was kept honest throughout the day by a hard charging Sergio Pires and former Class B front runner, David Greig.
After qualifying, Shahin, who celebrates his 100th start in the series in Sunday’s final race, was very happy with his performance after a massive accident sidelined The Bend Motorsport Park CEO in the Bathurst 12-hour a year ago,
Shahin enthused, “I’m very thrilled on so many fronts. I can’t believe I’m in a race car to start with and everyone in the Pro-Am class is fast this year. All the drivers here went out of the gate very fast this morning, but that is what it should be.”
“This is a track that rewards bravery and commitment. Everyone has done exceptionally well and it’s great that there were no incidents throughout the day,” Shahin concluded.
Saturday sees two sprint races taking place in what looks to be a very wet weekend according to the weather forecast. The Michelin wet tyres are likely to be working to their optimum with between 5 to 10mm predicted for tomorrow. Race 1 gets underway at 10:30 AEDT, followed by the second sprint race at 15:05 AEDT. Both races will be broadcast live via the 7plus app.
Full results: https://www.porschesprintchallenge.com.au/results/
Solid 20-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge grid for Phillip Island
Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am entries announced ahead of season opener
After a 16-month forced break as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge teams mark their return to the track this weekend at one of Australia’s most iconic race circuits.
Round 1 will see a grid of twenty (20) Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars take to the Phillip Island Grand Prix start line, with the premier Mobil Pro class featuring some of the country’s top junior drivers and the Morris Finance Pro-Am class destined to be one of the mostly hotly contested in the series history.
McElrea Racing teammates Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione carry strong momentum into the 2021 season after strong performances in both the 2019 series and the more recent Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup one-off event at the Sandown International Raceway last December.
South Australian, Tom Taplin returns as well for 2021 and will again be an ever present contender for race honours. Set to challenge the established trio of Michelin Juniors is a swathe of talented newcomers all with strong racing pedigrees. The challengers include Bayley Hall (McElrea Racing); Courtney Prince (Sonic Motor Racing) and the Porsche Team New Zealand pairing of Callum Hedge and Madeline Stewart (Earl Bamber Motorsport).
2019 Morris Finance Pro-Am champion, Sam Shahin returns to defend his class title, but will face strong opposition this season from the likes of Andrew Goldie and David Greig, who have made the step up from the 997 Class. Other experienced contenders expected to challenge the front trio include: Matthew Belford, Ross McGregor, Michael Hovey, Sergio Pires, Marcel Zalloua, Jonathan Gliksten, Shane Barwood, Graham Williams and Nathan Murray, while Terrance Knowles makes his debut in the series with Ash Seward Motorsport.
After two practice sessions and a 20-minute qualifying on Friday 12 March, teams contest two sprint races on Saturday, followed by a final 45-minute race on Sunday morning. All three races will be broadcast live on the 7plus app. The app is free to download and accessible from any computer, smart tv, or mobile phone, together with replays of each race on demand.
For race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
ENTRY LIST: Round 1 – Phillip Island
# DRIVER SURNAME SPONSOR Class
3 Jonathan Gliksten Racing to beat FA Morris Finance Pro-Am
5 Nathan Murray Garage 1 Morris Finance Pro-Am
7 Ryan Suhle Latitude Coffee Mobil Pro
8 Madeline Stewart Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
9 Callum Hedge Porsche Team NZ Mobil Pro
13 Sam Shahin HTFU / OTR Morris Finance Pro-Am
14 Matthew Belford ID Land Morris Finance Pro-Am
17 Marcel Zalloua Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
21 Shane Barwood Morris Finance Pro-Am
22 Andrew Goldie Cirrus Aircraft Morris Finance Pro-Am
26 Tom Taplin Taplin Real Estate Mobil Pro
28 Bayley Hall Siebe Gorman Mobil Pro
32 Courtney Prince Sonic Motor Racing Mobil Pro
55 Sergio Pires Valmont Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
68 Terrance Knowles Ash Seward Motorsport Morris Finance Pro-Am
73 Michael Hovey HHH Racing / Triffid Morris Finance Pro-Am
76 Christian Pancione VCM Performance Mobil Pro
87 David Greig David Greig Morris Finance Pro-Am
99 Ross McGregor Southern Star Windows Morris Finance Pro-Am
131 Graham Williams Sonic Motor Racing Morris Finance Pro-Am
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: Round 1 – Phillip Island
Race 1: Sat 13 March 10:30-10:55 7plus
Race 2: Sat 13 March 15:05-15:25 7plus
Race 3: Sun 14 March 10:05-10:50 7plus
Coffex Coffee Roasters renews partnership with Porsche Cars Australia for 2021 season
Coffex to keep the Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Sprint Challenge teams energized for 2021
An integral part of the service Porsche provides to its teams and drivers at each event would only be possible with the support of partners Coffex Coffee Roasters, who have renewed their support of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
Coffex has been closely aligned with the Carrera Cup Australia series since the start of the 2015 season when it began as the Official Coffee Supplier of Australia’s premier one-make series, providing coffee, tea and associated products to all involved in each series.
The Coffex Coffee bar is traditionally the most popular feature within the Carrera Cup Australia hospitality lounge at each event and provides a place for teams, partners and drivers to relax and enjoy premium, locally roasted – and, above all, the freshest – coffee from professional baristas.
For 2021, the proudly Melbourne brand will again receive integrated Coffex branding in the Porsche hospitality area, on every vehicle, and communications across Porsche’s websites and social media channels. Coffex also continues as the naming rights partner to an exclusive behind-the-scenes video series, dubbed the Coffex Backstage Pass.
The series will be shot by Porsche at each Carrera Cup event and give fans an insight into the Porsche life at every circuit, by showcasing profiles on leading teams, drivers and personnel as well as highlighting aspects of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship that set it apart from other categories in Australia.
Quotes:
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with Coffex Coffee Roasters into the 2021 season. The benefits Coffex provide at each event play a crucial role in the overall racing experience for our drivers, teams, sponsors and this is evident from the tremendous feedback we receive. The 2021 partnership is vital in allowing us to continue to enhance and innovate the on- and off-track experiences for our motorsport customers.”
Coffex Coffee Roasters, Managing Director, Fong Loong: “We are once again, very proud to be the Official Coffee Supplier of Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Series. With the Coffex Backstage Pass, we would like to give audiences a glimpse into the role that Coffex Coffee Roasters plays behind the scenes at every race. The event is truly a highlight in the Australian events calendar for us and we look forward to supporting Porsche Cars Australia for many more years.”
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
About Coffex Coffee Roasters:
Born in 1959, Coffex Coffee Roasters has a rich and diverse heritage in Melbourne. Our founding goal was to deliver premium, locally roasted and, above all, the freshest coffee to baristas and coffee lovers – and we have been doing so, ever since. Locally roasted in Brunswick, Victoria; Coffex Coffee Roasters is now one of the largest coffee roasters in the southern hemisphere. As part of its partnership with Porsche, Coffex’s perennial crowd favorite and multiple award winner – Superbar blend is served in the Porsche Lounge at every Carrera Cup Australia event.
Coffex Coffee Roasters – https://www.coffex.com.au/
For more coffee information and videos, follow the Coffex Coffee Roasters social pages: Instagram – @CoffexCoffeeRoasters / Twitter – @CoffexCoffee / Facebook.com/CoffexCoffee
Coffex Backstage Pass
VIDEO: Episode 1 – Richard Crail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UysKeK7Ykk
VIDEO: Episode 2 – Michael Ritter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fx-UwwgJcE
Two-car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge attack for Sonic
Sonic Motor Racing Services will enter a two-car attack on the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
Sonic Motor Racing Services will enter a two-car attack in the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, fielding entries in both the Mobil Pro and Morris Finance Pro-Am classes.
Heading the charge in the Mobil Pro class is Courtney Prince. The 19-year-old female racer is fresh out of the competitive Formula Ford category where she finished eighth in the 2019 championship.
Prince, along with most other motorsport competitors, had a lean 2020 due to COVID-19, however, a strong testing and fitness regime over the enforced break means that she is not lacking any confidence ahead of her first season racing a Porsche.
The Melbourne-based driver will compete in the 911 GT3 Cup car that Aaron Love used to finish second in the 2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series.
Morris Finance Pro-Am racer, Graham Williams, continues in the team’s second car in what will be his fifth-straight year with the Sonic team.
Williams is a long-time Porsche enthusiast and is looking to improve on his fifth place in the Morris Finance Pro-Am class from 2019.
The opening round of the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge will take place at the world-famous Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with practice and qualifying to be held on Friday, Race 1 and 2 on Saturday ahead of the final race on Sunday.
All races will be seen live and free on the 7plus streaming app in Australia.
QUOTES
Courtney Prince, Driver, Sonic Motor Racing Services: “I am so excited to get into the car and go racing,” said Prince.
“My goal is to do a good job, have good pace, and be fighting against the leading pack. I want to be consistently up the pointy end for the whole weekend.
“And being consistent is important, because at the end of the championship, I want to be in the top five.
“I really love Phillip Island. It’s one of my favourite tracks and after a test day earlier this year, I I feel comfortable. I’m just super excited to get out there.”
Graham Williams, Driver, Sonic Motor Racing Services: “This is now my fifth year with Sonic and it’s exciting to get back on track, into racing and spending time with the Team,” said Williams.
“It is be good to be able to get back into the seat again, and I look to working to improve on our efforts in 2019”
“Phillip Island is a spectacular place, and is great to have this as our first round.”
Michael Ritter, Owner, Sonic Motor Racing Services: “We are looking forward to getting back into the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge this year,” said Ritter.
“Courtney has been progressing really well over the past two seasons. Her momentum was great leading into 2020, but even in the enforced break, she remained active, we tested where we could and she is in a good space.
“It’s always great to have Graham in the team. This is our fifth year working together, and he is always looking to make more gains with his own driving.”
Mobil renews Naming Rights partnership of Porsche’s Mobil Pro Category
Mobil to continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche one-make series
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that Mobil will continue as the Official Fuel Partner for both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series this season.
As the “Official Partner” of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Mobil also continue as naming rights to its premier class within both series and will be referred to the ‘Mobil Pro Class’ in all official communications, including Porsche press releases, websites and social media accounts.
The partnership with Mobil provides a range of benefits to both parties ensuring that all cars competing in both series will run on Mobil’s Synergy Supreme+ 98 octane fuel product moving forward.
This enhances Porsche’s long term partnership with Mobil 1 ensuring that both Mobil Synergy fuels and Mobil 1 lubricants will be delivered in all Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars in each series.
In addition to the naming rights, Mobil receives extensive branding on all Pro Class cars on the front windscreen together with the side mirrors, rear windscreen, side panels, inside drivers panels and in-car cameras. The Mobil logo will also be present on the podium backdrop and team garages for each Pro Car competing in the Carrera Cup championship this year.
Further to these benefits, a range of money can’t buy experiences will be delivered throughout the year that will provide the chance for race fans and Mobil customers to enjoy the Porsche road cars at a range of exclusive events.
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are pleased to renew our partnership with a quality fuel supplier for both series and continue to have Mobil as the Naming Rights partner to our Pro class this season. Our premier one-make series provides Mobil a prime platform to showcase their product to our drivers, teams and customers, as well as amplify their product attributes to Porsche customers both on and off the racetrack. The partnership further enhances our existing long term partnership with Mobil1, our Official Lubricant Partner to both series.”
Mobil Australia Retail Sales Manager, Charles Ewart: “Mobil is committed to supporting Australian drivers and the Porsche race series and is very proud to announce our partnership with premium car manufacture Porsche. This partnership provides us with the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of our world renowned engine protecting Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology to Australians”.
Round 1 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season takes place from the 19-21 March in Sandown International Raceway, while Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 12-14 March.
About Mobil Synergy Fuels:
At Mobil, it’s all about the details and bringing quality fuels to every driver, all across Australia. That’s why we’re committed to getting performance enhancing additives that protect your engine from the very first fill, clean your engine and improve engine performance into every Mobil branded service station across Australia. You can trust that Mobil has your fuelling needs sorted with Mobil Synergy Fuel Technology. This is one more way our fuels work harder for you every day, and one more reason to refuel at Mobil. Because every drive matters.
Morris Finance partners with Porsche Motorsport series in Australia
Morris Finance secures Naming Rights to Pro-Am Championships for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
National Commercial Finance and Leasing leaders Morris Finance have secured the naming rights to the hotly contested Pro-Am Championships across both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
As part of the agreement, Morris Finance will gain significant visibility with both Australia’s premier one-make series, with extensive branding across Pro-Am Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars competing in both series. They will also feature across both podium and media backdrops at every event, as well as Pro-Am team garages and various event related branding around the Carrera Cup Australia drivers lounge and pit garages.
Morris Finance will also offer a range of finance solutions to Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series customers delivering financial solutions for a range of their needs, including race cars, transporters, equipment and more.
The deal follows Morris Finance’s continued commitment to its long-term relationship with Walkinshaw Andretti United in Supercars, Motorsport Australia, The Bend Motorsport Park, and their community program which involves drivers Nick Percat and Jaxon Evans.
Porsche Cars Australia will also provide several bespoke experiences for Morris Finance VIP customers at premier Carrera Cup Australia events throughout the year.
To support these VIP Customer experiences, Morris Finance will run a promotion that provides the opportunity for customers to win an ultimate giveaway to the final Carrera Cup Australia round on the Gold Coast.
This increased partnership builds upon the support Morris Finance has given to both categories to date – having previously supported the Sports Person of the Year Award – as well as their long term support of 2018 Carrera Cup Champion, Jaxon Evans, who continues to forge his international motorsport career abroad.
The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series will get underway at Sandown International Raceway in mid-March, with the series concluding alongside Supercars on the streets of Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast in early December.
Quotes:
PCA’s Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Morris Finance, which delivers value to them across numerous key partnership pillars including branding; digital and social media; events; promotions; hospitality; experiences and business development. Morris Finance has been a strong supporter of both series, either in a category level or driver perspective, and it’s great to have them on board as our naming rights partner of the Pro-Am Championships of both categories.
Morris Finance Marketing Manager, Tiffany Hunt: “As a proud Australian business operating on a national level, we take great pride in partnering with such a strong global brand and are delighted to be partnering with Porsche Motorsport Australia as the Official Finance Partner. With this alliance, we are looking forward to creating unmatched experiences for our national broker, client, investor and referrer markets”.
About Morris Finance:
Based in Geelong, Victoria, Morris Finance is Australian owned and one of Australia’s leading finance companies, providing asset finance, investment, leasing and insurance services to ABN Holders; Registered Companies; Individuals and Sole Traders.
For more Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia news and content follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to join C0₂ offset program, Porsche Impact
Porsche Motorsport Australia racing series to be integrated into Porsche sustainability initiative
Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) is pleased to announce that it will integrate both Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia (PCCA) and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia (PSCA) series into the newly launched Porsche Impact Program in Australia. Porsche Impact Program is a C0₂ compensation scheme offering Porsche customers the option to calculate and offset their personal carbon footprint.
PCA commits to compensating the C0₂ footprint of the 911 GT3 Cup cars racing in PCCA and PSCA in the 2021 Season. The financial contribution is based on an estimated annual mileage and consumption during the scheduled Rounds. The monetary compensation will be calculated by using an emission calculator and directed to financially support two selected Australian environmental projects in partnership with South Pole after the 2021 season concludes.
The two certified offset initiatives, also offered to Porsche Customers as a part of the scheme are:
Mount Sandy:
The first project is Mount Sandy, located between the Coorong National Park and Lake Albert in South Australia. It is a pocket of intact native vegetation in a region dominated by farmlands, Mount Sandy brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to promote land conservation methods that have been used by the Traditional owners of the land, the Ngarrindjeri people, for thousands of years. The 200 hectare site ensures permanent protection for all biodiversity, which is a unique mix of coastal shrublands and saline swamplands. The site provides habitat for iconic native wildlife, such as the short-beaked echidna, purple-gaped honeyeater and elegant parrot.
Myanmyn:
The second local initiative is the Myamyn project at Annya State Forest, located in south-western Victoria. The habitat is home to numerous vulnerable and endangered plant and animal species. The Myamyn project works to protect and rehabilitate the site after clearing and the introduction of an invasive eucalyptus species occurred in 1997. So far 20 hectares of cleared land have been rehabilitated with a total of 200 hectares protected against further clearing.
About Porsche Impact:
Porsche Cars Australia is participating in the Porsche Impact program, which was developed by Porsche AG in association with its subsidiary Porsche Digital. The estimated 2020 CO2 emissions of the Porsche Cars Australia fleet of cars have been offset using Porsche Impact. This includes company cars, press cars and vehicles dedicated to the Porsche Track Experience program.
The sports car manufacturer is committed to reducing CO2 emissions. In doing so, Porsche considers the entire value creation chain: from suppliers, to the product, to after sales and recycling. Today, Porsche AG uses 100% green energy for production and rail logistics. In Australia, Porsche also prioritises other sustainability measures like solar power and tyre recycling.
Quotes:
Sam Curtis, CEO & Managing Director, Porsche Cars Australia: “Sustainability is an essential pillar of our corporate strategy at Porsche. The global approach to sustainability at Porsche is holistic, working in all fields of action: ecological, economic and social.”
For more information about Porsche Impact visit: https://www.porsche.com/australia/aboutporsche/responsibility/porscheimpact/
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup to be shown live on FOX Sports in Australia
Monaco Grand Prix to host debut of the new 992 generation 911 GT3 Cup
The 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season will play host to drivers from eleven teams and herald the racing debut of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation). All eight rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup Championship will again be broadcast live in Australia on FOX Sports with replays throughout the season.
The premier one-make Championship will be part of the Monaco Grand Prix programme (20 to 23 May) in 2021 with a driver line-up that includes defending champion Larry ten Voorde from the Netherlands and Porsche Junior, Ayhancan Güven from Turkey.
“Despite the ongoing difficulties for international motor racing due to the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve managed to put together an extremely attractive package for the 2021 season,” explains Oliver Schwab, Project Manager Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
“The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has attracted even more interest from teams. The permanent grid positions that are available are overbooked. I expect up to 32 competitors at all races except Monaco.”
Up to four additional competitors are permitted to contest the remaining seven Cup rounds. The new entries among the permanently registered teams are Parker Racing from Great Britain and Huber Racing from Germany. Both teams ran the overall winners in their respective national Porsche Carrera Cups last season. Lechner Racing from Austria returns to defend its title in the team classification of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Lechner Racing has also entered a second, officially independent squad. GP Elite from the Netherlands and Alméras from France also compete with two separate teams. The other permanent participants are Fach Auto Tech from Switzerland, CLRT from France and Dinamic Motorsport from Italy.
After the 2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season gets underway in Monaco, the Championship then travels to seven other race circuits in France, Austria, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy to round off the calendar.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992 generation) features a 375 kW (510 hp) flat-six engine that is designed to run on synthetic fuel and will be campaigned in Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series in 2022.
2021 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup calendar*
Rnd Event Date
1 Monaco 20-23 May
2 Le Castellet (France) 25-27 June
3 Spielberg (Austria) 2-4 July
4 Silverstone (England) 16-18 July
5 Budapest (Hungary) 30 July-1 August
6 Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 27-29 August
7 Zandvoort (Netherlands) 3-5 September
8 Monza (Italy) 10-12 September
*subject to changes
Motorsport Australia announces revised date for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season opener
Phillip Island season opener to take place on 12-14 March
Motorsport Australia has confirmed a replacement date for the opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships. The event will now be held on 12-14 March.
In addition to Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Australian Racing Group categories will again be on show at the event, including the VHT S5000 Australian Drivers Championship, Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, National Trans Am Series and the Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia Powered by AWS.
Further categories may also be part of the event, with category managers in discussion with Motorsport Australia to compete at the iconic Victorian circuit.
With the Victorian COVID-19 lockdown forcing a postponement of February’s 2+4 Australian All Wheels Race Fest, Motorsport Australia has worked with the circuit and category managers to secure a new date.
Unfortunately, Australian Superbike Championship and its support categories were unable to join the event on this occasion, given a number of scheduling conflicts. However, discussions between Motorsport Australia and Motorcycling Australia are already underway about rescheduling the All Wheels Race Fest for later in the year.
At this stage, Motorsport Australia is unable to confirm any spectator details, however it is hoped that some spectators may be able to attend, in line with any government restrictions that apply at the time.
The event will also be broadcast across the screens of 7, including on 7mate and 7plus. New Zealand viewers will be able to watch via Sky Sports, while other international viewers can watch online via the Motorsport.TV stream.
The opening round of the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships will be held at Phillip Island on 12-14 March, 2021.
Michael Smith, Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships Director said: “We’re really pleased to confirm this new date for the Shannons Motorsport Australia Championships and also to be able to secure a new date so quickly.”
“I’d like to thank the team at Phillip Island for their flexibility and support, allowing us to put this event on in March. Motorsport Australia is in regular dialogue with the Victorian Government about this event and will certainly work to deliver a COVID safe event in line with all restrictions and requirements that may be in place at the time.
“We hope that we will be able to welcome fans to this event, however understandably there is still some uncertainty about what restrictions may be in place, so at this stage we are not offering tickets for sale. This is something we’ll monitor closely and provide regular updates for motorsport fans.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the team at Motorcycling Australia for their hard work in preparing for the 2+4 Australian All Wheels Race Fest. While we are unable to make the joint-event work for this specific date, we’ve formed a great partnership over recent months and fully expect this combined event to happen in the very near future.”
Amadio Wines renews partnership with Porsche Cars Australia for 2021 motorsport season
Amadio Wines named as Official Wine & Champagne Partner for both Porsche one-make series in Australia
Porsche Cars Australia have announced that Amadio Wines have renewed their support of Australia’s premier one-make motorsport series. The South Australian winemaker will again be the Official Wine and Champagne Partner of both the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series for the 2021 season.
Amadio’s premium wine and champagnes will again be used for all Carrera Cup Australia and Sprint Challenge podium celebrations throughout the 2021 season, with each Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car displaying Amadio Wines branding on the rear wing end plates and sill on every Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge entry.
Porsche Cars Australia Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy: “Without our long standing partners we could not provide the level of support to our drivers and teams that we do. We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Amadio Wines for the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge seasons. Both series provide a great activation platform for all our partners and reinforce Porsche’s association with these premium brands.”
On the renewal of the partnership, Amadio Wines Managing Director Danniel Amadio said, “We are delighted to continue supporting this high calibre class of motor racing. It is a testament to all the competing teams and the organisation behind Porsche Motorsport in Australia for their continued efforts in producing some of the best young talents this country has to offer. This is evident not just on a national stage, but the results of their drivers on the international stage.“
Round 1 of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from the 18-20 February, while Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season is due to start on the 19-21 March at the Sandown International Raceway, as the premier support category for Repco Supercars Championship.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
About Amadio Wines:
Amadio Wines represents Danniel Amadio’s contribution as the third generation to his family’s successful winemaking legacy. Stemming from his grandfather’s success in the early 30’s and his parents success in the 90’s, whose label rose to be acclaimed ‘most awarded boutique label in Australia’, Danniel is now continuing the family legacy. The Amadio family pride themselves on their Italian heritage, which has aided them in sourcing the best quality food from around Australia and creating a top branding wine as Danniel personally selects the best fruit parcels from his family owned Kersbrook Vineyards in the Adelaide Hills.
Michelin and Porsche announce massive prize pool for 2021 Junior Development Programme
French tyre giant renews its support of both Porsche Sprint Challenge and 2021 Junior Development Programme
The continued support and development of the best young drivers from around the Australasian region has been a key priority for both Michelin Australia and Porsche Cars Australia for several years now. The domestic collaboration has seen the initiative grow into benchmark driver development programme in the country and remain a vital feature of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
For the 2021 season, the French tyre giant has announced that it will again support the Porsche Junior Development Programme offering eligible young drivers from the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series mentorship, support and training from the country’s leading sports professionals and coaches, as well as the opportunity to win their share of the $300,000 prize pool on offer.
The prize pool sees the top three Junior drivers from each series, receive a set of Michelin competition tyres every round, while the top placed Junior driver at each event will also receive a complimentary entry for the round.
The Michelin Junior Champion, crowned at the end of the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season, will receive a trip to Germany to attend the Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions Dinner in December 2021.
The other main incentive for the Michelin Junior drivers in the premier one-make series is an opportunity to attend the global Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout, which
continues to play a crucial role in the development of the best emerging talent from the region and is seen as the most proven pathway for talented drivers to progress to the highest level abroad.
The 2019 Michelin Junior champion, Jordan Love, won the overall Carrera Cup Australia Championship and went onto to win the Porsche Junior Shootout nomination to compete against Carrera Cup Champions from the leading one-make Porsche championships around the world in three-day, all expenses paid driving evaluation at the Portimao circuit.
Last year Love joined the 2018 Carrera Cup Australia Champion and Porsche Junior driver, Jaxon Evans, on the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup grid, the premier support race for FIA Formula One World Championship.
Other drivers that have progressed up the Porsche Motorsport pyramid in recent years via the Australian Junior Programme, include the likes of Matt Campbell, Nick Foster, Andre Heimgartner and Dylan O’Keeffe, who have all gone on to succeed at the highest levels of the sport both locally and internationally.
In a new incentive for 2021, the Australian nominee to attend the global junior shootout will receive an exclusive test drive in the new 992 generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car ahead of its introduction in 2022. The global Porsche Junior Shootout will be utilising the new 992 Cup Car for the first time this year and this prize provides the best opportunity for the Australian Junior nomination to perfect their skills before they head overseas.
On the partnership announcement, Porsche Cars Australia’s Head of Motorsport, Troy Bundy said, “It’s fantastic to have our long term partner in Michelin to come on board once again and provide the crucial support needed for young talented athletes within this country. Both Michelin and Porsche are aligned in our passion for developing young athletes both on and off the track, which we have had great success in the past, and we are looking forward to continuing this support for the next batch of talented athletes coming through.
Michelin Australia’s Marketing Manager Oceania, Swaroop Tulsidas, is excited to continue the French brand’s support of the region’s young racers, “Michelin Australia are committed to supporting local talent through the Michelin Junior Programme. It’s been a difficult year for the drivers and teams alike, not being able to compete as normal in 2020. Fortunately, there is plenty to look forward to in the season ahead with some fantastic events on the race calendar.”
“The global partnership we have with Porsche comes to life locally when juniors from Australia and New Zealand progress in the Porsche Pyramid and make it to the top. We look forward to seeing the development and progression of our juniors in 2021.”
To be eligible as a Michelin Junior in 2021, both Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge and Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup, drivers must be born between 30.11.1997 and 01.03.2004. All Michelin Juniors in each series must carry additional Michelin branding on their racing apparel and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.
To learn more about the professional coaching provided by leading experts in the Michelin
Junior Training days, watch the following videos:
Porsche Michelin Junior Training Day 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YXWEjT_ewM
Porsche Michelin Junior Training Days 2019: https://youtu.be/cquPduF6iqw
For more information on the 2021 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia email motorsport@porsche.com.au
Madeline Stewart unveils Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge livery
Madeline Stewart has revealed her racing livery for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series
Madeline Stewart has revealed her Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racing livery for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series. The young New Zealand driver is based on the Gold Coast and is part of Team Porsche New Zealand run by Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM). The striking team livery is predominantly black and red with a white fern down the side of the car.
Madeline will again partner with Boss Air Suspension for her 2021 campaign. The global aftermarket air suspension manufacturer originally came on board for, what turned out to be, a very disrupted 2020 season, which saw Madeline finish third in the first round of Super 3 series at Sydney Motorsport Park, before taking victory in the Townsville Tin Top event.
She then went on to complete the year in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car finishing fourth at The Bend Motorsport Park Tin Top races. Boss Air Suspension is joined by Stewart’s other partners, Fitstop and Melbourne based VT Advisory.
Madeline Stewart said, “I am very excited to be racing in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge this year. I am looking forward to having a great year with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport.”
“To have a fern on the side of my car and to be representing New Zealand is amazing. I cannot thank everyone who has helped make this happen enough.”
The livery reveal of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car comes as Madeline is set to have her first outing in the car at Phillip Island, as a shakedown before the opening round of the series in the coming weeks.
McElrea Racing announce full strength Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge assault
Suhle, Pancione, Hall, Hovey and Cowen complete McElrea Racing driver line-up
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series will play host to five McElrea Racing drivers for the 2021 season. After finishing fourth and fifth respectively in the 2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series, Ryan Suhle and Christian Pancione will be strong favourites for the 2021 Mobil Pro title.
Pancione will also race select rounds of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia series as he affirms his intentions to ascend the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
Highly-rated, young GT racer, Bayley Hall, announced his plans to join the Queensland squad late last year, while Michael Hovey and Richard Cowen will be chasing victories in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Pro-Am category.
Suhle, Pancione and Hall will all be looking to follow in the footsteps of former McElrea Racing graduates, Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans, who progressed up from Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge to the premier Carrera Cup class. The pair went onto win both the Carrera Cup Championship (2016 – Matt Campbell and 2018 Jaxon Evans) as well as the Porsche Junior Shootout. Both McElrea Drivers have since gone onto forge top-level international careers with Porsche and its customer GT teams.
2021 McElrea Racing Driver line-up – Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
#7 Ryan Suhle Latitude Coffee
#28 Bayley Hall TBC
#72 Michael Hovey The Triffid
#76 Christian Pancione VCM Performance
#2 Richard Cowen (partial championship)
Quotes:
Team Owner, Andy McElrea: “We are really looking forward to the 2021 Carrera Cup & Sprint Challenge championships. For the first time in our 13 year history that we have the perfect number of customers for our business model, that is four cars in each championship, with businessman Richard Cowen also doing a partial Sprint Challenge Championship and (Christian) Pancho doing some selected rounds of the Carrera Cup Australia series in preparation for 2021. We all realise that we will need to be flexible with plans and logistics for 2021, as some disruptions are inevitable, but we love a challenge and are always prepared to adapt on the run. We started testing with our Sprint Challenge drivers already, while our first Carrera Cup test takes place in February.”
Christian Pancione: “Racing both Porsche series this year is a great opportunity, with a team like McElrea Racing I’m looking for wins and podiums.”
Ryan Suhle: “Testing has started really well this year, so I’m really focused on winning my first Porsche championship this season.”
Bayley Hall: “2021 will be the perfect year for me to aim high, learn, experience and grow from every opportunity that arises.”
Michael Hovey: “I’m here to have fun and win the Pro-Am title this year!”
Richard Cowen: “Prospects of winning Pro Am at first attempt – on the low side. Prospects of marital issues due to racing time and expenditure – Medium to high. Prospects of having a lot of fun racing in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge – 100%.”
McElrea Racing Achievements:
McElrea are the only Australian team to have won races in every season of Australian Carrera Cup (incl 2020) since it re-started in 2011. They are also able to claim to have been on pole for the first race of each new generation car: 997:2 (Jonny Reid at 2011 AGP), 991:1 (Shae Davies at 2014 Adelaide) and 991:2 (Jaxon Evans at 2018 Adelaide).
Porsche titles captured by the team include: the Carrera Cup Pro class on two occasions; Carrera Cup Pro Am title, Sprint Challenge Pro class title, Sprint Challenge Pro Am (twice), Rennsport Pro Am Enduro (twice), and the coveted Porsche Teams Championship three times.
ASM announces three car Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge campaign
Ashley Seward Motorsport confirms McGregor, Goldie and Knowles for Pro-Am
Ashley Seward Motorsport has announced three drivers in the line-up for this year’s Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season, which kicks off at Phillip Island on 18-20 February.
The experienced Ross McGregor will contest his eighth season in the series. McGregor has been a consistent performer during his Porsche racing tenure and has been a regular appearance on the Pro-Am podium over the last few seasons.
“I’m just looking forward to getting back onto the track and having some fun,” McGregor said.
“For me, it’s all about maximum enjoyment and continuing to learn and improve. The Sprint Challenge has a great group of competitors, who are all sensible and show respect for one another on the track.”
“Geoff Emery will be on board as my driver coach again this year, which is a big positive – Geoff really knows how to encourage me and can bring out the best in my driving.”
“Ash (Seward) provides a quality service to his customers, he understands how to put together a racing program that is both economical and enjoyable.”
After finishing runner-up in Class B aboard a 997 Cup car in 2019, West Australian driver Andrew Goldie upgraded to a 991 Gen 1 in 2020. While the pandemic limited his opportunities to go racing, he still competed at Challenge Bathurst before racing in the Porsche PAYCE and Michelin Cup at Sandown in December, where he achieved a clean sweep of race wins in the Pro-Am class.
“The new car is beautiful to drive, very smooth and refined,” Goldie said.
“Don’t get me wrong, I liked my old 997, but the 991 Gen 1 just does everything that little bit better.”
“The paddle-shift gearbox makes the whole experience much more relaxed and I noticed the extra horsepower as well.
“After one of the Challenge Bathurst sessions, I got out of the car and told Ash it was the most fun I had ever had in a race car. To score a clean sweep at Sandown was fantastic, but I had to work hard for it – there is some high-quality opposition and the Pro-Am class will be very competitive this season.”
Joining McGregor and Goldie will be Terry Knowles, who will make his competitive circuit racing debut after completing some track days with the ASM team.
“When I first drove the Porsche, I was like a deer in headlights – it was surreal,” Knowles said.
“I had to learn the paddle shift system and acquaint myself with a left-hand-drive car, but Ross, Andrew and everyone else in the team have been very encouraging.”
“For my first year, the goal is to learn as much as possible finish all the races, challenge myself and above all, have fun.”
Bayley Hall joins McElrea Racing for 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season
McElrea Racing have announced that Bayley Hall will join the team for 2021
McElrea Racing have announced that Bayley Hall will join the team for 2021
McElrea Racing has announced that Bayley Hall, will join the Championship-winning Carrera Cup team for the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge season.
As a Grade 12 student at Coomera Anglican College in Queensland, the talented GT racer sees 2021 as an opportunity to get acquainted with the first generation Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car, before he starts his ascent up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
“I’m very excited for this new chapter in my racing career. It’s all a bit surreal, but it’s a dream come true to announce that I will be with the McElrea team in a Porsche next year,” Hall said.
Hall has already amassed a large amount of experience despite his young age, having competed a number of different racing series and cars. His natural speed and adaptability was apparent from early in his career, having finished second overall in both the 2019 Gold Coast round of the Australia GT Championship and the 2020 Bathurst combined sedans series. Hall also became the youngest ever podium finisher at the Bathurst 12 Hour earlier this year, finishing third in class in a Marc Cars Mustang V8.
Andy McElrea said, “We’ve been watching Bayley’s progress for a couple of years and for such a young guy, he already has vast mileage and experience in a variety of cars. A year ago we chatted about a potential future with MR and having a shot at the Porsche Pyramid, following in the footsteps of Matt and Jaxon in Europe. We did an evaluation test with him a couple of weeks ago and we were very impressed with his first run in a cup car, needless to say, he has a very exciting few years ahead of him!”
Hall partnered with McElrea Racing’s Warren Luff for the Bathurst event, “I’m excited that Luffy will be one of my mentors at McElrea as he has known me since I was a toddler playing Mario kart. We get on very well and it was a huge experience to drive with him at one of the biggest races in Australia earlier this year.”
Hall will also be part of the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme in 2021, which in the past has seen drivers like Nick Foster, Dylan O’Keeffe, Andre Heimgartner, Jaxon Evans, Jordan Love and Matt Campbell go onto to compete at the highest level of the sport both locally and internationally.
Campbell and Evans both started their Porsche careers with McElrea Racing in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge (formerly known as GT3 Cup Challenge) before going onto win the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup titles in 2016 and 2018 respectively.
On the prospect of joining Australia’s benchmark junior development programme Hall said, “I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can in the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme and my goal is to ultimately win the Sprint Challenge series, before I make the step into the main game in Carrera Cup.”
“The opportunity to drive the GT3 Cup car in the test session for around 100 laps was incredible. Working with the likes of race engineer, Leigh Geyer and the rest of the McElrea team was also an amazing opportunity,“ Hall enthused.
“After seeing the success the team have had in the past with the likes of Matt and Jaxon, I’m really looking forward to stepping up to the Porsche one-make series next year, as the cars are identical and the national competition is at the highest level,” Hall concluded.
The Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge series gets underway at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in February.
For more race information, videos and interviews, follow the Porsche Motorsport Australia social pages: Instagram – @PorscheMotorsportAU / Twitter – @PorscheMspAU / Facebook.com/ PorscheMotorsportAU
Team Porsche New Zealand announces scholarship and 2021 Michelin Sprint Challenge driver line-up
Matthew Payne, Madeline Stewart and Callum Hedge line-up for Team Porsche New Zealand in 2021
Team EBM (Earl Bamber Motorsport) run by both Earl and Will Bamber, have announced that they will enter a 485-hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car for young New Zealand karting champion, Matthew Payne, in the 2021 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia series under the ‘Team Porsche New Zealand’ banner – supported by the Official Porsche Centers of New Zealand.
The partnership is a continuation of the team formed to enter the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Championship with Will Bamber securing four race victories and third overall in the Championship.
Team Porsche New Zealand will provide an opportunity to offer a scholarship for a young New Zealand talent to drive in Carrera Cup Australia. The oversight of Earl and Will Bamber will provide invaluable experience having success from Carrera Cup series, right to the top of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
“We are really excited about the Team Porsche NZ Scholarship. It is something we’re proud to offer and it gives a solid platform for young Kiwi drivers to aspire to from karts and other national championships. It’s about providing a path-way to a professional motorsports career” – Earl Bamber.
“2021 will be the first time Team Porsche New Zealand enter the series with their own Scholarship Programme, which is a further testament to the growing awareness and competitive standing our series is receiving across the region.” – Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport Porsche Cars Australia
Matthew Payne
Matthew Payne, who hails from Auckland has extensive experience in karting after starting at age 5. In 2019 he won the KZ2 National Championship before relocating to base himself in Italy and race in a number of European series against the very best KZ kart drivers in the world. Payne has aspired to make the transition from karts to touring cars with the long-term goal of endurance racing as a factory driver for Porsche.
“To be the driver selected by Porsche New Zealand for their scholarship at this age is something very special, it will be awesome to be mentored by such an accomplished driver and team and I will take this opportunity with both hands and make them proud.
I’ve always wanted to race Porsche cars and race the Australian Championship. It’s a real privilege. It’s a step toward my ultimate goal of racing GT Endurance cars at famous tracks like Le Mans, Daytona, Bathurst. Nurburgring and many more.” – Matthew Payne
Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia to visit New Zealand
The Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Series will visit New Zealand for the first time. The round will run alongside the Repco Supercars Championship in early November.
“To race in New Zealand for the first time in our series history will be a huge highlight for all Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia drivers next year. I would like to again thank Porsche New Zealand for partnering with us to make this exciting opportunity a reality for our teams.” – Troy Bundy, Head of Motorsport Porsche Cars Australia
2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge
In addition to the scholarship offered in the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia series, Team Porsche New Zealand will also support Madeline Stewart and Callum Hedge. Stewart and Hedge will be competing in the 2021 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge in Australia with Earl Bamber Motorsport and under the Team Porsche New Zealand banner. As Sprint Challenge drivers as part of the team, both will be eligible to apply for the Carrera Cup scholarship in 2022.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to race with EBM in 2021. The Porsche pathway is really promising and provides a lot of opportunities for myself to progress with my racing experience and my career.
I’m looking forward to building up a good level of skill racing these cars and I’m lucky enough to have Earl Bamber’s help with driver coaching. I know I will gain a lot from listening to his expertise and knowledge.
I am a proud Kiwi so to have Porsche New Zealand’s support is an honor. I am really grateful to be representing their brand and proud to have them onboard for next year.” – Madeline Stewart
“It’s really cool to finally get some direction on where we are headed after almost a year of uncertainty with COVID. I am very excited to be running with the Team Porsche New Zealand/Earl Bamber Motorsport team in Sprint Challenge Australia. It is a privilege to be running under their colours and be chosen for this opportunity to represent Porsche New Zealand and EBM.” – Callum Hedge
Applications for the 2022 Team Porsche New Zealand Scholarship will be taken in the 4th Quarter of 2021. The criteria and application process will be announced by the EBM Team nearer to this time.
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 3 interviews
We catch up with Ryan Suhle and Matthew Belford after Round 1
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 3 Highlights
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge after accident red flags Race 3
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 2 interviews
Callum Hedge (Mobil Pro) and Matthew Belford (Morris Finance Pro-Am) speak to us after their debut wins in the series
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 2 Highlights
Race 2 Highlights from Round 1, Phillip Island, 2021
Round 1 – Phillip Island – Race 1 interviews
We catch-up with Ryan Suhle (Mobil Pro) and Sam Shahin (Morris Finance Pro-Am) following Race 1
Round 1- Phillip Island – Race 1 Highlights
Race 1 Highlights
Round 1 2021 – Phillip Island – Friday wrap
Sights and sounds from the first day of 2021 season at Phillip Island
Round 1 2021 – Phillip Island – Friday Qualifying
Trackside for Round 1, Phillip Island Qualifying
Michelin Junior Training Workshop 2020
Highlights of the 2020 Michelin Junior Driver Training Workshop
2019 Season Highlights
2019 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge (GT3 Cup Challenge ) Season Highlights
CAMS interviews: 2019 Champions
interviews with 2019 Champions, Harri Jones and Sam Shahin from the 2019 Awards dinner
Interview: 2019 Class B champion – David Greig
We catch up with 2019 Class B champion 🏆David Greig after the third and final race from The Bend Motorsport Park Shannons Nationals
Interview: 2019 Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Pro-Am Champion Sam Shahin
We catch up with TAG Heuer Pro-Am class champion, Sam Shahin at The Bend Motorsport Park after Race 2
Round 6, The Bend – 2019 Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Champion
We catch up withe the 2019 Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Outright Champion Harri Jones after Race 2 Shannons Nationals The Bend Motorsport Park
Round 6, The Bend – Race 1 interviews
RACE 1 INTERVIEW with race winner Max Vidau at Rd6 at The Bend Motorsport Park
Round 6, The Bend – Qualifying interviews
Interviews with Ryan Suhle (Pro) and Brett Boulton (TAG Heuer Pro-Am) after qualifying at The Bend
Round 6, The Bend – Aaron Love interview
Aaron Love interview following Practice 2, Round 6, The Bend - 2019 Shannons Nationals
Round 5, Sandown – Race 3 Highlights
Race 3 Highlights from Rd5, Sandown Raceway - 2019 Shannons Nationals
2019 Round 6 – The Bend Motorsport Park
Image Gallery
2019 Phillip Island – Sunday
2019 Phillip Island – Saturday
2019 Phillip Island – Friday
Instargram count: 25
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Driver Bio
David Wall enters the 2018 Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia series with the coveted #1 on his new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Two-time Australian GT Champion David Wall made a triumphant return to the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia in 2016, winning in Darwin, scoring 10 podium finishes and finishing an outstanding third in the championship.
Sydneysider Wall made his name in Carrera Cup between 2006-2008, before winning in Australian GT and then making the move into Supercars competition.
Wall has made eight Bathurst 1000 starts and in 2016 also scored a podium finish – his first in the sport – on the Gold Coast, sharing the No. 33 Garry Rogers Motorsport entry with Scott McLaughlin.
Wall returned to Carrera Cup full-time in 2016 with his own Wall Racing team and eventually achieved the ultimate success, claiming the 2017 Carrera Cup crown.
Driver Bio
Melbourne-based Stephen Grove is the epitome of a Porsche racer – a strong passion for motorsport and a vast appreciation of the 911 GT3 Cup race car.
A successful businessman away from the race track with his Grove Group company, which features on his Porsche 911 race car, Grove’s increasing experience behind the wheel has pushed him quickly towards the front of the TAG Heuer Pro-Am competition.
Grove debuted in the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia championship mid-way through the 2012 season, when you could also you could find him competing in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series at the time.
Grove would go on to win the 2014 TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge title, finish second in the 2015 season and third in the 2016 title race. And then, in 2017, Grove impressed by claiming his second class crown.
Driver Bio
Greg Taylor returned to the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia full-time in 2018 having sampled the series in the 2014 season.
The Sydneysider contested the Sydney, Sandown and Gold Coast rounds of the 2014 season before moving to GT racing and, ultimately, returning to the Porsche one-make series in 2018.
Taylor joined the 2017 championship winning team, Wall Racing, for his Carrera Cup comeback.
Driver Bio
Tim Miles has made a successful ascent of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid over the past few season, moving from the GT3 Cup Challenge series through to the ultra-competitive Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia championship.
Miles’ racing trajectory with Porsche has seen him rise through the GT3 Cup Challenge ranks to ultimately claim the 2016 Elite Class crown. His racing resume was also sprinkled with Porsche Pro-Am appearances as a co-driver for the likes of Renee Gracie, Matt Campbell and, in 2017, Jaxon Evans.
The Sydney based businessman then made his Carrera Cup debut as a single driver entry at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway in 2017, placing second in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge for the round, before a successful run to the end of the season, which included a class clean sweep at Bathurst.
Driver Bio
A young rising star based in Queensland – but with Kiwi heritage – Jaxon Evans continues to step up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid having finished a narrow second in the 2016 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series.
After two years learning the ropes of one-make Porsche competition, Evans stepped into Carrera Cup in 2017 behind the wheel of the car Matt Campbell took to the outright championship in season 2016.
Evans was well-prepared for his step into the big league, having won the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy in 2016 – the GT3 Cup Challenge’s ‘series within a series’ for longer distance races.
Following the same career progression as his friend Campbell, Evans made a successful transition to Carrera Cup, finishing fifth in the standings with two convincing round wins at Darwin and Gold Coast.
Driver Bio
Nick McBride joined Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia in the hunt for a career in Supercars and has since forged a reputation as one of the series’ most competitive drivers.
The Victorian returned to Australia after a two and a half year campaign in the United Kingdom, competing in British Formula Ford and Formula 3. He finished 10th in the prestigious F3 title this year, but shifted his desire for an open wheel ambitions to one which would focus on a tin-top career in Australia.
McBride won his first Carrera Cup Australia race on home turf at Albert Park in 2015, and backed that up with his first ever round win at the Clipsal 500 in March 2016 and an eventual Sandown round victory in 2017.
McBride races a new-look Porsche entry in 2018 after joining Porsche Centre Melbourne’s Carrera Cup outfit.
Driver Bio
Seasoned Porsche racer Marc Cini has more experience in the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia championship than any other, sitting at 95 round starts at the start of the 2018 season.
A successful businessman away from the track with his company Hallmarc Developments, this Porsche enthusiast scores one of his highlight achievements in 2017, claiming the inaugural 2017 TAG Heuer Pro-Am Endurance Cup title.
Driver Bio
Adam Garwood moved to the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia series after a stint in Touring Cars Masters.
The Tasmanian replaced his race-winning Holden Torana SL/R 5000, equiped with 600hp from a Chevrolet V8 engine, for one of the series’ new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars with a 485hp rear-mounted flat six.
Driver Bio
Sam Shahin is a product of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, entering Porsche one-make racing in the entry-level GT3 Cup Challenge series before making his Carrera Cup debut at the 2017 Pro-Am event at Phillip Island, where he teamed with Dan Gaunt to place third on the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge class podium.
Shahin’s continued improvement in Porsche one-make series has seen the South Australian businessman develop into a hugely competitive Porsche racer among the Pro-Am ranks, though he shocked even the overall competition when taking the outright victory at the opening 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge round at Sandown.
Shahin then made his Carrera Cup debut as a single driver entry at Carrera Cup’s fourth round of 2017 in Darwin, where he claimed round honours in the Challenge class.
Racing with the Adelaide based Buik Motorworks, Shahin enters 2018 for his maiden full-time Carrera Cup season.
Driver Bio
Peter Major entered Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia with experience in both Porsche’s second-tier GT3 Cup Challenge series and the Australian GT Championship, where he is a dual race winner.
Major’s sole GT3 Cup Challenge saw the West Australian take second outright and second in the Professional Class at his Winton debut behind eventual champion and 2018 teammate Jordan Love.
Driver Bio
Josh Hunt joins Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia with a broad range of motor racing experience.
Hunt moved to Europe aged 16 to pursue his professional driving career. From karting in Italy, Hunt moved to USF2000 in the USA before a stint in Toyota Atlantic Championship. Since then, Hunt had a range of open wheel, sports car and prototype experience that saw him well-placed for the 2018 Porsche season.
Driver Bio
James Moffat joined an expanded Wall Racing outfit for the 2018 Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia championship following a decade out of the Porsche series.
Moffat placed third in the 2008 Carrera Cup Australia series before a two-year stint in Super2 and seven years in the top-flight Supercars Championship.
Driver Bio
While Adrian Flack has limited Porsche experience, the ‘Flack’ name is well known in Carrera Cup circles.
Damien Flack was a regular in the 2011 and 2013 Carrera Cup seasons and since returned for several Pro-Am appearances.
Adrian also has Pro-Am experience, entering the 2016 two-driver event alongside David Wall before his full-time debut in the 2018 season.
Driver Bio
One of Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia’s ‘originals’, Dean Cook returned to the championship in 2017 after a more than a 13-year absence.
Cook competed in the first two season of Carrera Cup Australia, finishing a strong 10th outright in the inaugural 2003 championship – in front of serious names like Andrew Miedecke, Rodney Jane, Peter Hill and Geoff Morgan.
That was despite a limited racing CV prior to his Carrera Cup campaign, that included several starts over two years racing in the popular GT Nations Cup series, also racing a Porsche 996 GT3 Cup.
He returned for several races in the 2004 Carrera Cup season however did not contest the full series and had not raced in a major championship until his successful return in 2017, when he claimed a class victory in the final round of the season in the Gold Coast.
Driver Bio
Roger Lago is highly credentialed in Porsche one-make series. The Queenslander is one of two former GT3 Cup Challenge champions in the Carrera Cup series and was a TAG Heuer Pro-Am front-runner in the 2015 series until a qualifying accident in Townsville ended his season campaign.
Lago returned to the series in 2018, coinciding with the introduction of the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Driver Bio
Indiran Padayachee is one of the many GT3 Cup Challenge graduates to compete in the 2018 Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia season.
The TAG Heuer Pro-Am ranked driver also entered the 2018 Carrera Cup season having 15 rounds of experience in the GT3 Cup Challenge category and a single round of Carrera Cup after partnering his son and former Carrera Cup driver, Duvashen Padayachee, in the 2015 Pro-Am event at Phillip Island.
Driver Bio
Michael Almond burst on to the Porsche scene in 2010, when he qualified on pole on his debut in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia – and he has since to go on and forge a strong career with the brand.
A race winner in GT3 Cup Challenge, Almond also won races in the classic Touring Car Masters series, racing a 1973 Porsche RS against much larger and more powerful cars – and drivers like Jim Richards, John Bowe and Glenn Seton.
A move to Carrera Cup in late 2012 has seen his career climb towards a breakout season in 2016 that netted his first career win. Appropriately for this Adelaide born and bread driver, it came in front of his home town fans and friends on the streets of Adelaide at the Adelaide 500.
Almond this season joins Sonic Motor Racing Services as one of the two Bob Jane T-Marts entries.
Driver Bio
Max Twigg returned to the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia series full-time in 2018 as the championship’s most successful TAG Heuer Pro-Am driver.
The Melbourne based driver was untouchable in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons, taking the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class title in each.
Twigg’s unprecedented Pro-Am record achievements include the most title wins (3), most round wins (13) and most race wins (46).
Driver Bio
Dylan O’Keeffe is a young Victorian driver going places in a hurry, as shown by his rapid rise through the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid to be a contender for victories in just his second year of the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia.
Graduating from success in the Porsche 944 series in his native Victoria, O’Keeffe burst onto the scene in 2015 by finishing second to Ryan Simpson in the GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series.
His elevation to Carrera Cup in 2016 saw him steadily progress until a breakout round in Darwin saw him achieve personal best results in Qualifying (4th), racing (4th) and the round result – 4th.
O’Keeffe’s impressive rise continued in 2017, ultimate becoming Carrera Cup Australia’s nominee for the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout in Europe before lining up full-time for the 2018 Carrera Cup season.
Driver Bio
Dale Wood enters Porsche one-make racing after a lengthy stint in Supercars.
Wood entered Supercars in 2007, racing in the Super2 Series and ultimately graduated to the Supercars Championship full-time in 2009. Wood would return to the Super2 Series and claim the series title in 2013 before securing a full-time Supercars drive from 2014 to 2017 and, ultimately, making his way to the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia series in 2018.
Driver Bio
Canberra racing driver Cameron Hill chose Porsche power for the next phase of his career, announcing he would undertake a full-time campaign in the 2018 Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia series following a stint in the Toyota 86 Racing Series.
The 21-year-old demonstrated his talent ahead of his Carrera Cup debut, winning the coveted Australian Formula Ford Series in 2015 and scoring more race victories than anyone else in the Toyota 86 Racing Series during 2016 and 2017.
Driver Bio
Graham Williams made his Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia debut in 2017 – but he’s also no stranger to Porsche competition.
He’s raced his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car to strong results in Victorian State Production Sports Car competition, including a top-10 finish in the 2016 championship. He’s also competed in several Porsche Club sprint and driving events, building a wealth of experience behind the wheel of his 911 GT3 Cup.
Williams had a strong debut season in the Porsche series and returns in 2018, set to capitalise on the experience gained, with #131 – the number he raced in Motorcross during his teenage years in South Australia.
Driver Bio
Jordan Love made his Carrera Cup debut at Sandown in 2017 just one week after securing the outright GT3 Cup Challenge title at Phillip Island. Following the title win, Love announced a three-round initiation into Carrera Cup and an eventual full-time series entry in 2018.
Love was also named as an official Porsche Junior driver at the start of the 2017 GT3 Cup Challenge season, becoming only the second driver to be the recipient of the Jamey Blaikie Scholarship.
Driver Bio
John Steffensen’s pathway to the Porsche Wilson Security Carrera Cup Australia season was far different than most.
Before his stint in the driver’s seat, Steffensen was an Olympic sprinter and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist.
Upon his athletics retirement, Steffensen raced in GT3 Cup Challenge in 2017 before moving to Carrera Cup the following season.
