RODNEY FORBES was the beneficiary of some typically unpredictable Bathurst wet weather as he took pole position for the first round of the 2010 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Mission Foods.

New South Welshman Forbes, who has plentiful experience in both V8 Supercars and Carrera Cup, posted the quickest time in this afternoon’s 20-minute qualifying session before a red flag ended proceedings and left the Nutella-sponsored driver on pole.

The result was no fluke, however, Forbes having set the third-fastest time in the earlier practice session held in much sunnier conditions.

“The car was good, and that’s the key around here,” he said.

“The biggest issue is that I haven’t done a race start for a year and half!”

Past and present GT3 Cup Challenge series winners filled the next two places, Sven Burchartz taking his brand-new Type-997 GT3 Cup Car to 2nd and reigning winner Matt Kingsley first of the 996-brigade in 3rd.

Victorian Kane Rose was fourth ahead of Sydney driver Shane Smollen, who is another to upgrade to the later model 997 Porsche this season.

Heavy rain fell on Mount Panorama for the half-hour before GT3 Cup Challenge Qualifying began and as such left the track sodden for the session’s start and the red flag – for a car stranded in the chase sand trap – cut it short to make life even more difficult for the teams.

The earlier 20-minute practice session provided a better form guide before the lottery that was qualifying, Kingsley topping the charts ahead of Smollen and Forbes – both who look to be strong contenders this weekend.

In the dry conditions Friday morning, the top ten in practice was made up of six 997 and four 996 models, ensuring a competitive fight between the two is in store for this weekend.

The Porsche 944 Challenge cars also took to the track today as part of a massive 33-car field, Vince Misuraca heading the class ahead of Paul Faulkner and Dennis O’Keefe.   

Two, 12-lap races will be contested tomorrow as part of the Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour festival on Mount Panorama.

Round one of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia Series presented by Mission Foods will be covered in a one-hour special on the Seven network, with the date and time to be advised.

For more information head to www.gt3cupchallenge.com.au

ENDS

VIDEO: SHANE SMOLLEN’S CLOSE CALL

The last thing any driver wants is to approach the daunting right-hand kink at Bathurst’s chase and find a slow moving car in your path.

Regardless, that’s what happened to Shane Smollen – who endured a wild moment at more than 260km/hr as he entered this chase in Friday morning’s first practice session.

The Auto Haus Hamilton prepared, McGrath lindfield Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car took to the grass and bounced across the kerb – in a similar fashion to Mark Winterbottom’s high-speed off at the end of the Bathurst 1000 just a few years ago.

Click the video below to see the action, with thanks to Auto Haus Hamilton media man, Tom Worsley.



2010 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Mission Foods

Round 1 – Bathurst, NSW, February 12 – 13
Round 2 – Symmons Plains, TAS, April 10 – 11
Round 3 – Mallala, SA, May 29 – 30
Round 4 – Morgan Park, QLD, August 14 – 15
Round 5 – Sandown, VIC, October 22 - 23

For More Information: Richard Craill, Media Manager, 0408 813 141 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it