Porsche Junior Jordan Love has made a strong start to round three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Winton Motor Raceway, topping the time sheets in both Friday practice sessions.
Love finished Friday’s two sessions with a top time eight-tenths quicker than his nearest rival, fellow Perth baser racer – and Love’s day-to-day boss – Peter Major.
Major makes his GT3 Cup Challenge debut after recent experience in the Australian GT Championship, where he competed in last month’s Phillip Island endurance race, giving the West Australian a worthy preparation for Saturday’s 35-lap Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race.
“The main reason I’m here in GT3 Cup Challenge is because of Jordan Love, who works for me. He has been harassing me at work about how he’s going to beat me so I thought I’d come out and have a bit of fun,” said Major.
“It’s only my second time at Winton so I’m learning the track as well as learning how to drive a Porsche again.
“I’ve done a few hour-long runs of late in Australian GT in the Lamborghini, including a long stint at the recent Phillip Island round, so hopefully that puts me in good stead for the opening race tomorrow.”
Anthony Gilbertson was the best of the Elite Class competitors in third outright from Elite Class points leader Sam Shahin.
Brenton Grove, fresh from his recent trip to Fuji Speedway to support his father Stephen Grove in his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia appearance, was fifth outright from John Morriss, John Karytinos, Brett Boulton, John Steffensen and Phil Morriss 10th outright.
Newcomer Marcel Zalloua was 11th quickest in Friday practice from Class B leader David Greig, first-time GT3 Cup Challenge driver Andrew Goldie and Rob Woods in 14th.
The all-Porsche series will hold qualifying on Saturday at 9:55am before the series enters the first of its three Jim Richards Endurance Trophy races for the season. The field will embark on a 35-lap endurance battle, which will be followed by another long distance race at the following Sydney and Ipswich rounds.
Sunday will then feature two 12-lap races to conclude the third round before the season enters its latter half in Sydney.
The Sunday race schedule of Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals from Winton, including race two and race three of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli, will be available to view via live stream from the Shannons Nationals website (www.thenationals.com.au).
Race Schedule
Saturday June 10, 2017
9:55am Qualifying 1 (20 minutes)
12:15pm Race 1 (35 laps)
Sunday June 11, 2017
9:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
11:15am Race 3 (12 laps)
Results – Combined Practice
1. #79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing / Quintis – 1:22.8358*
2. #14 Peter Major (Professional Class) PM Motorsport – 1:23.6413s
3. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes – 1:23.8601s
4. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 1:23.9206s
5. #23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire – 1:23.9718s
6. #34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L – 1:24.3925s
7. #16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive – 1:24.4342s
8. #84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living – 1:24.5966s
9. #78 John Steffensen (Professional Class) Zagame Autosport – 1:25.3501s
10. #88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services – 1:27.1256s
11. #17 Marcel Zalloua (Elite Class) 360 Motorsport / Valmont – 1:27.2265s
12. #87 David Greig (Class B) – 1:27.4215s
13. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Andrew Goldie – 1:28.5942s
14. #29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub – 1:28.8093s