Australian based Kiwi drivers Jaxon Evans and Tim Miles were on the podium at the third round of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli at Winton Raceway, Victoria in the weekend. Two podiums for Evans and a dnf has seen him drop to second on the points table as Tim Miles continues to lead the Elite Class.
“A less than ideal day,” commented Evans about Sunday’s two races. “Having an incident at turn 1 with another driver on the opening lap, left me sitting in the middle of the track resulting in further contact and a DNF. After starting towards the rear of the gird, managed to work my way through to P2 at the checkered flag!”
Hamish Hardeman has claimed an impressive clean sweep of wins at Winton Motor Raceway; while Jim Campbell scored his maiden Elite Class round victory and Danny Stutterd continued his Class B stronghold.
Hardeman followed his dominant Saturday performance, which included pole position and an 18.5 second victory in the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race, with convincing victories in Sunday’s two 12 lap sprint races on a day that saw former points leader Jaxon Evans’ title prospects take a hit.
In race one, front-row starters Hardeman and Evans entered the opening chicane side-by-side; the pair touched and Evans spun and ultimately retired from the race after subsequent contact with following cars – an accident that also forced the retirement of Brian Finn, Ross McGregor and Anthony Gilbertson, handing Hardeman the upper hand in the standings.
Hardeman continued his streak in race three, taking victory over Evans in second, who executed an impressive charge through the field to place second from the rear of the grid.
Hardeman now holds a 36 point lead in the outright standings from Evans and Klarich.
“This was my best performance of the year so far. We worked out a really good set up and the car got better every race. I was really confident with what was underneath me,” said Hardeman, who set a new lap record in race three, improving on the previous best time he set on Saturday.
“I’m really happy to get the points lead; it really boosts my confidence. I’m stoked to be in this position and I feel I can continue this performance for the rest of the year.”
Jake Klarich, who scored a season-high result of second in race two, claimed his best round result of second at Winton from Evans in third.
Elite Class runner Campbell celebrated his maiden class round victory with a strong and consistent effort in all three Winton races.
After placing fourth in class in Saturday’s endurance race, Campbell took two class wins on Sunday to edge out class points leader Tim Miles and David Ryan for the top step of the Elite Class podium.
“It was great to get the two class wins today. Tim Miles was having a good go in race two and David Ryan was right behind me in race three so I couldn’t relax in either race today. I had to work hard for it, so it was good to get this result,” said Campbell.
Miles placed second for the round in the Elite Class from Ryan in third, with Sam Shahin narrowly missing out on his second class podium result of the season.
Stutterd continued his Class B dominance with a clean sweep of race wins; the series rookie claiming his fifth, sixth and seventh class race win of the season.
“I’m having a ball. There’s really good competition with the other guys. We’ve done some testing here, Richard Muscat has been helping me out and the track really suits us. I love Winton and it’s great to get another Class B win here this weekend,” said Stutterd.
Shane Barwood placed second for the round in Class B and was joined on the podium by Michael Tsigeridis in third.
While Hardeman moves to the outright and Professional Class points lead, Miles extended his Elite Class points lead at Winton, now sitting 45 points ahead of Shahin, with Anthony Gilbertson, Ryan and Brian Finn in a close battle for third, fourth and fifth in class.
Stutterd meanwhile holds a convincing 116 point lead in the Class B standings from Tsigeridis and Barwood.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli will next race at Sydney Motorsport Park on July 01-03 for the fourth round of the six-round series.
HARDEMAN, MILES AND STUTTERD WIN WINTON ENDURANCE OPENER – Race 1
Hamish Hardeman has taken honours in the opening Jim Richards Endurance Trophy race of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli season in a dominant drive throughout the 35 lap event.
Hardeman secured pole position earlier in the day and continued his pace-setting performance into the endurance race. The Victorian was challenged in the opening laps by Jaxon Evans however, as the race progressed, Hardeman increased his lead to ultimately claim a 18.5 second victory from Evans, his first in the one-make series following six-straight second place finishes.
“I think it’s about time to get the win and I’m absolutely over the moon. I had good test days and the team set the car up perfectly so we deserved this today,” said Hardeman, who posted a new lap record of 1:22.4664, two seconds quicker than the previous mark of 1:24.4543 set by reigning champion, Ryan Simpson.
“I did a couple of endurance rounds last year and I really enjoy the longer races so it’s important to do well and try to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy this season. I definitely want to win the outright title, but the Endurance Trophy would be special also.”
David Ryan was sitting third for the first half of the race but was quickly demoted in the order after spinning at the Winton sweeper on lap 21, handing third to Porsche Junior, Jake Klarich.
Tim Miles, who battled with Klarich in the opening half of the race, placed fourth and claimed the Elite Class race win, with Ryan recovering from his earlier off-track excursion to finish fifth.
“I’m really happy with the Elite Class race win. The team tuned me up; I wasn’t fast enough in qualifying so McElrea Racing did a fantastic just job in making some changes to the car and some changes to what I’m doing. I was actually half-a-second quicker in the race than in qualifying,” said Miles.
“I had a really good battle with Jake; that was the second battle with him following Sydney Motorsport Park. The little whipper snapper is just a little too quick.”
Brian Finn and Jim Campbell overcame opening lap spins to charge through the field to an impressive sixth and seventh outright, and third and fourth in the Elite Class, by the finish while Sam Shahin, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, looked strong for the majority of the race in sixth before a late race spin at the sweeper dropped him to eighth by the chequered flag.
Anthony Gilbertson placed ninth from Michael Stillwell and Class B race winner Danny Stutterd, who was among a tremendous class battle with Michael Tsigeridis and numerous Class A runners. Ross McGregor placed 12th outright from debutant Chris Stillwell, Tsigeridis and Shane Barwood in 15th.
The final two 12 lap Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli races at Winton Motor Raceway will be held on Sunday. To view these races, along with the entire Sunday race programme of the Shannons Australian Motor Racing Nationals, head to the live stream on www.thenationals.com.au.
Race 1 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic/Arris Property Group – 35 laps, 48:44.5984
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship – 35 laps, 49:03.0803s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster – 35 laps, 49:37.9190s
4. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory – 35 laps, 49:48.8681s
5. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic – 35 laps, 49:56.0059s
6. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories – 34 laps, 48:51.5786s
7. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing – 34 laps, 49:06.0591s
8. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU – 34 laps, 49:08.6740s
9. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes – 34 laps, 49:09.6156s
10. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia – 34 laps, 49:29.5217s
11. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM – 33 laps, 48:51.4351s
12. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows – 33 laps, 48:59.1304s
13. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group – 33 laps, 48:59.8062s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate – 33 laps, 49:02.9086s
15. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group – 33 laps, 49:06.5366s
Race 2 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic/Arris Property Group, 12 laps – 22:10.2511s
2. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 12 laps – 22:21.2344s
3. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 12 laps – 22:26.0215s
4. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 12 laps – 22:27.3232s
5. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia, 12 laps – 22:35.9709s
6. 313 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 12 laps – 22:40.3457s
7. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group, 12 laps – 22:46.0773s
8. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM, 12 laps – 23:01.7363s
9. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 12 laps – 23:03.0312s
10. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate, 12 laps – 23:30.6251s
11. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 12 laps – 23:40.8759s
DNF #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship
DNF #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories
DNF #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes
DNF #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
Race 3 Results
1. #10 Hamish Hardeman (Professional Class) Sonic / Arris Property Group, 12 laps – 16:40.3254s
2. #91 Jaxon Evans (Professional Class) Simulate-It/Willship, 12 laps – 16:44.2024s
3. #95 Jake Klarich (Professional Class) Super Rooster, 12 laps – 16:46.3840s
4. #72 Jim Campbell (Elite Class) Power Street Racing, 12 laps – 17:05.5674s
5. #13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU, 12 laps – 17:08.6108s
6. #4 Tim Miles (Elite Class) CSF Radiators / Miles Advisory, 12 laps – 17:10.0770s
7. #19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Motiv8 Racing / Hallmark Homes, 12 laps – 17:17.9804s
8. #6 Michael Stillwell (Elite Class) Logicar Australia, 12 laps – 17:18.3661s
9. #16 Chris Stillwell (Elite Class) Stillwell Group , 12 laps – 17:18.9286s
10. #30 David Ryan (Elite Class) Wrightlands GAM Soltronic, 12 laps – 17:31.2689s
11. #82 Brian Finn (Elite Class) Laser 3D/Force Accessories, 12 laps – 17:44.0690s
12. #32 Daniel Stutterd (Class B) FREEM, 12 laps – 17:57.9599s
13. #21 Shane Barwood (Class B) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, 11 laps – 16:40.9233s
14. #81 Michael Tsigeridis (Class B) Hunter French Real Estate, 11 laps – 16:44.0973s
15. #99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows, 11 laps – 17:06.8731s
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