The popular Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli series returns to Queensland Raceway this weekend where the opening race will determine the winner of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy for 2017.
The three-race endurance series, now in its seventh season, is currently led by Porsche Junior Jordan Love, with fellow young gun Brenton Grove and Elite Class contender Anthony Gilbertson second and third in the Endurance Trophy standings.
Saturday afternoon’s 40-lap endurance race will conclude the Endurance Trophy for the season, with Love favourite to join the likes of Roger Lago, Kane Rose, Richard Muscat, Fraser Ross, James Abela and Jaxon Evans as recipients of the endurance honour.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Queensland Raceway and hopefully having another strong endurance race performance on Saturday,” said Love. “I have limited experience in a sports car at the track and, while it isn’t as technical as somewhere like Sydney, it will provide plenty of challenges. It will be a great weekend and it would be amazing to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy with a strong performance in race one.”
Love will aim to capture several records in Queensland. The West Australian is en route to his fourth straight round win, something only previously achieved by Ryan Simpson and Matt Kingsley. Having won seven races in a row, a clean sweep at Queensland Raceway would also hand Love a new series win streak record.
Meanwhile the fight at the front of the Elite Class continues as the series highlight.
Sam Shahin’s strong start to the season followed by Anthony Gilbertson’s recent resurgence has resulted in just four points separating the duo entering the penultimate 2017 round.
Shahin has traditionally shown impressive pace at the Ipswich circuit; the South Australian claimed his maiden series podium at the venue in 2015 before narrowly missing out on a certain class round victory last season when his throttle cable broke in the closing stages of the final race.
Gilbertson, too, has strong form at the Queensland circuit, placing second in the Elite Class for the round last season ahead of a comprehensive pre-season test at Queensland Raceway in preparation for the 2017 season.
“I was very lucky in Sydney to reduce the points margin to Sam, who is still leading. If I can go up to Queensland Raceway, which is my home track, and do well there, you never know who might be leading entering the final round at Phillip Island,” said Gilbertson.
“I like Queensland Raceway. Out of all the tracks in Australia, I have done the most laps at QR. I also did a fair bit of testing there at the start of the year when I joined McElrea Racing. So I’m cautiously confident heading into the Queensland round.”
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will hold the third and final Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the season on Saturday afternoon, with race two and race three to be held on Sunday.
Two watch the two Sunday races, along with the entire Shannons Nationals Sunday race program, view the live stream available from thenationals.com.au.
Race Schedule
Friday August 04, 2017
11:50am Practice 1 (30 minutes)
2:40pm Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday August 05, 2017
10:50am Qualifying (20 minutes)
1:45pm Race 1 (40 laps)
Sunday August 06, 2017
10:00am Race 2 (12 laps)
12:45pm Race 3 (12 laps)
Entry list: Round 5, Queensland Raceway
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows