South Australian Max Vidau has clinched an impressive clean sweep of race wins at Symmons Plains Raceway to depart the opening 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia round with the championship lead, while Sam Shahin continued his TAG Heuer Pro-Am dominance to claim three race wins at his first visit to the Tasmanian circuit.

After two race victories on Saturday, Vidau was again the best from the start line to lead into the opening corner. He then held the lead until a mid-race safety car was called to recover Shane Barwood’s car from the inside of the turn four hairpin.

Then, as the Porsche field trailed the safety car, rain started to fall on Symmons Plains. The change in weather conditions forced an extended safety car period which ultimately ran until the chequered flag. Vidau therefore secured a perfect start to his 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge season to start his second year in the series.

“It’s the best way to start the season. The team gave me an awesome car throughout the weekend and it’s a really positive way to leave Symmons Plains,” said Vidau.

“Coming to the round I expected strong results but three from three is absolutely perfect. I’m very happy with it and I’m now looking to the next round in Sydney. I’ve been there before and I have a bit of experience there so hopefully I can replicate the same result I had here in Tasmania.”

Harri Jones was the best of the series rookies, placing second in each of the three GT3 Cup Challenge races during the season opener with teammate Ryan Suhle placing third in each despite pressure from Aaron Love in Sunday’s final race.

Sam Shahin was untouchable in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class. The Carrera Cup racer followed his two race wins on Saturday with another class race win on Sunday, which was coupled with an impressive five place outright.

“I’m absolutely over the moon. That last race was really tough. I had contact on lap one, turn one and I had a very interesting car to drive with the steering wheel pointing at 30 degrees. They made the right call to extend the safety car period with the weather conditions. I’m very relieved and very thrilled,” said Shahin.

Ross McGregor placed second for the round in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am class in his 30^th GT3 Cup Challenge round start; a third place and two fourth-place finishes proving consistency was key to his round success. Sergio Pires then placed third for the round in his TAG Heuer Pro-Am class debut.

While Andrew Goldie was the best of the Class B runners in the final race, former Class B champion David Greig, who placed third in race three, won the round from Tony Martin and debutant Nathan Murray.

Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia will next line up for round two of the 2019 championship at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 17-19, 2019.

Results: Race 3

Position	Car	Driver	Class	Laps	Race time	Fastest lap
1	77	Max Vidau	Pro	22	26:50.9504	0:53.2112
2	12	Harri Jones	Pro	22	26:51.6317	0:53.2141
3	7	Ryan Suhle	Pro	22	26:52.1634	0:53.1912
4	78	Aaron Love	Pro	22	26:53.0734	0:53.3861
5	13	Sam Shahin	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	26:54.2581	0:53.8027
6	26	Tom Taplin	Pro	22	26:55.4771	0:54.0877
7	76	Christian Pancione	Pro	22	26:56.3233	0:53.4232
8	84	Brett Boulton	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	26:57.2568	0:54.7257
9	99	Ross McGregor	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	26:58.0506	0:54.8833
10	17	Marcel Zalloua	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	26:59.3887	0:55.1150
11	10	Michael Loccisano	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	27:00.2150	0:55.6035
12	131	Graham Williams	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	27:00.9436	0:55.7657
13	55	Sergio Pires	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	27:02.0585	0:54.7921
14	29	Rob Woods	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	22	27:03.2859	0:55.7319
15	22	Andrew Goldie	Class B	22	27:03.6768	0:55.5974
16	91	Emanuel Palyaris	Class B	22	27:04.2185	0:55.4921
17	87	David Greig	Class B	22	27:04.8739	0:56.4916
18	9	Tony Martin	Class B	21	26:52.7015	0:57.5402
19	5	Nathan Murray	Class B	21	26:53.6908	0:56.8269
20	3	Jonathan Gliksten	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	21	26:55.0710	0:57.7953
21	777	Cameron Crick	Pro	20	27:05.4380	0:54.0884
DNF	21	Shane Barwood	TAG Heuer Pro-Am	10	9:34.3689	0:55.4587