News TRT Media Release October 23, 2024 (Comments off) (23)

Title-defining weekend in store for Carrera Cup on the Gold Coast

A POTENTIALLY title-defining weekend could see two Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia champions provisionally add a second crown to their respective tallies this weekend on the streets of Surfers Paradise.

With two rounds and six races remaining in the 2024 title race, Equity-One Professional class leader Harri Jones and SP Tools Pro-Am point man Adrian Flack could both mathematically seal their respective championships this weekend should all go their way on the streets of the Gold Coast.

With 181 points up for grabs at each event, Jones’ Hastings Deerings Porsche Centre Melbourne Motorsport entry leads David Russell’s Hire a Hubby TekworkX car by 229 points after he claimed his fourth consecutive round victory at Mount Panorama a fortnight ago.

Meanwhile, Flack leads the Pro-Am class by 345 points, however that will change when the classes’ ‘drop your worst round’ is added into the equation.

Even then, Flack, who’s worst round was Sandown where he scored 150 points and claimed victory on a countback, still leads by more than 190 on corrected scores with two rounds to go.

While both drivers are in commanding positions, the unpredictable nature of the Surfers Paradise street circuit will still see everyone on-edge for an upset this weekend.

A 26-strong field will be out in force to challenge the established contenders, while also fighting for a place on the season podium as battles for second, third and fourth in each class heat up.

Russell leads Objective Racing’s Jackson Walls by just 19 points, with Dylan O’Keeffe just 38 further back in fourth for GWR / RAM.

Connected Spaces driver Dale Wood in fifth is only 125 points out of second position while Bayley Hall is only 32 behind him and returning to a place where he captured his maiden Carrera Cup race and round victories twelve months ago.

Bob Jane T-Marts / Monster Wheels Sonic driver Rodney Jane and Ares Group / ASM’s Matt Slavin are battling over second and third in SP Tools Pro-Am.

The Gold Coast grid will see the traditional appearance of several graduating stars from the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia series making their step up to the main game following last weekend’s conclusion of their own series.

Caleb Sumich, who made his debut at Sandown, will return to see out the season while New Zealander Clay Osborne will make his debut this weekend.

The 19-year-old is a multiple champion in karting and made his one-make Porsche debut late last year in Sprint Challenge.

He won three races and finished third overall behind the wheel of his McElrea Racing entry in this years’ championship, including winning the final race of the year at Sydney Motorsport Park last weekend. Osborne will race a brand-new Type 992 GT3 Cup Car with the support of his Sprint Challenge backer, Fendt Tractors.

Nine Carrera Cup drivers call Queensland home, adding a strong local flavour to this weekend’s round – the 18th visit by the one-make Porsche category to the Surfers Paradise streets.

A key milestone this weekend will see three-time SP Tools Pro-Am class champion Stephen Grove notch up his 200th Carrera Cup race start in race one.

He becomes just the fifth driver in series’ history to reach the double ton of Carrera Cup races, joining Marc Cini, David Wall, Rodney Jane and Nick McBride on the elite list.

Last year’s Gold Coast round was notable for particularly intense racing that saw Queenslander Bayley Hall break through for his maiden Carrera Cup race and overall victories – winning both Sunday races in style.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will race three times this weekend at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, with practice on Friday and Qualifying and the opening race on Saturday.

Two further races on Sunday – including the penultimate race in the Enduro Cup – will round out Sunday’s action.

The weekend will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo, with Races 1 and 3 also live on Channel 7 and 7plus Sport.

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