Campbell victorious as Challenge battle intensifies

Young gun Matt Campbell has translated his renowned blistering one lap pace into two perfect races at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday, while Shane Smollen and Stephen Grove topped an immensely competitive TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge.

Qualifying second, Campbell won the opening race after Nick Foster, who crossed the finish line in first place, was handed a five-second post-race penalty for jumping the start. The win was Campbell’s first in the championship in his rookie season.

Foster claimed second place from Steven Richards, Shae Davies, David Russell and Craig Baird in 6th.

Campbell was even more impressive in race two, holding off a charging Foster to the chequered flag after a race-long bumper-to-bumper battle.

“It was great racing with Nick; we were nose-to-tail all race with no contact. I don’t think there was more than a metre between us all race. It was awesome racing and a great job by Nick. I couldn’t be happier, starting on the front row with two race wins,” said Campbell.

“We’ve had the pace all year but have struggled in areas, so now it’s awesome to finally get a couple of wins.”

Foster placed second in race two from Russell, Baird, Davies, Nick McBride and Michael Almond in seventh.

Shane Smollen was the class of the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge early on Saturday; the Sydneysider was untouchable in both qualifying and the opening race.

The class battle then intensified in race two. Grove lept to the class lead early before a four-way battle ensured in the closing laps between Grove, James Bergmuller, Smollen and Adrian Mastonardo, who came from the rear after his race one DNF.

Grove won the battle and was pleased to score his first TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge race win since race three at Sandown last year.

“I really needed to get a win. I’ve been really consistent all year but I’ve been the bridesmaid to Smollen for far too long. I needed a win to get going and I’ve got it, so I’m wrapped,” said Grove.

“Smollen was coming and Bergmuller was coming; it was relentless. That was one of the hardest races I’ve done in a long time.”

Steven Richards lined up for his 100th Carrera Cup race in race two, though the celebrations were short-lived after he retired early following contacted with Davies.

Richards’ failure to finish reduces his points lead to 56.5 from Baird, while Foster has moved to third in the standings.

Grove now trails Smollen by five points in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge standings, while Tony Bates remains third after withdrawing from the event after his practice accident.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia’s final race at Sydney Motorsport Park will be shown live on Sunday on Fox Sports 5.

Race 1 Results
1. #7 Matt Campbell (Phase 8 /Nuveau Constructions) 17 laps, 26:19.2333s
2. #777 Nick Foster (Bob Jane T-Marts) 17 laps, 26:22.5190s
3. #1 Steven Richards (Laser Plumbing & Electrical) 17 laps, 26:25.0857s
4. #88 Shae Davies (Davbridge Constructions) 17 laps, 26:25.3016s
5. #10 David Russell (Finance Ezi) 17 laps, 26:29.0694s
6. #8 Craig Baird (Porsche Centre Melbourne) 17 laps, 26:29.3409s
7. #25 John Martin (Copyworld) 17 laps, 26:35.8172s
8. #77 Nick McBride (Bob Jane T-Marts) 17 laps, 26:39.0227s
9. #65 Fraser Ross (Porsche Centre Brighton) 17 laps, 26:45.4611s
10. #26 Michael Almond (Copyworld) 17 laps, 26:48.2623s
11. #11 Simon Hodge (Team BRM) 17 laps, 26:52.4916s
12. #45 Duvashen Padayachee (Darrell Lea STIX) 17 laps, 26:52.9375s
13. #56 Shane Smollen (McGrath Estate Agents) 17 laps, 26:58.8244s
14. #4 Stephen Grove (Grove Group) 17 laps, 27:08.4319s
15. #6 Ash Samadi (Apartment Hotel) 17 laps, 27:09.1644s
16. #13 James Bergmuller (MotorOne Car Care) 17 laps, 27:09.4755s
17. #222 Scott Taylor (Scott Taylor Motorsport) 17 laps, 27:20.1513s
18. #9 Marc Cini (Hallmarc) 17 laps, 27:21.8694s
DNF #22 Richard Muscat (Wilson Security / PAYCE/Genis Steel) 2 laps, 3:32.1790s
DNF #39 Adrian Mastronardo (Veritas/Builtform)

Race 2 Results
1. #7 Matt Campbell (Phase 8 /Nuveau Constructions) 17 laps, 26:17.3204s
2. #777 Nick Foster (Bob Jane T-Marts) 17 laps, 26:17.4954s
3. #10 David Russell (Finance Ezi) 17 laps, 26:25.1648s
4. #8 Craig Baird (Porsche Centre Melbourne) 17 laps, 26:29.5526s
5. #88 Shae Davies (Davbridge Constructions) 17 laps, 26:35.5123s
6. #77 Nick McBride (Bob Jane T-Marts) 17 laps, 26:37.7375s
7. #26 Michael Almond (Copyworld) 17 laps, 26:42.5981s
8. #65 Fraser Ross (Porsche Centre Brighton) 17 laps, 26:45.0989s
9. #45 Duvashen Padayachee (Darrell Lea STIX) 17 laps, 26:48.8190s
10. #11 Simon Hodge (Team BRM) 17 laps, 26:49.0691s
11. #4 Stephen Grove (Grove Group) 17 laps, 27:10.8860s
12. #13 James Bergmuller (MotorOne Car Care) 17 laps, 27:11.2388s
13. #56 Shane Smollen (McGrath Estate Agents) 17 laps, 27:11.6624s
14. #39 Adrian Mastronardo (Veritas/Builtform) 17 laps, 27:12.2346s
15. #222 Scott Taylor (Scott Taylor Motorsport) 17 laps, 27:26.6044s
16. #6 Ash Samadi (Apartment Hotel) 17 laps, 27:31.5194s
17. #9 Marc Cini (Hallmarc) 16 laps, 26:27.2570s
DNF #1 Steven Richards (Laser Plumbing & Electrical) 5 laps, 8:13.2241s
DNF #25 John Martin (Copyworld)