Leader Robb heads to Townsville for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia round

THE Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia returns to the NTI Townsville 500 this week for the series’ now annual street circuit fight. Kiwi Hunter Robb leads Xavier Avramides by just 14-points with the pair evenly matched despite contrasting seasons so far.

Robb, who drives for Jones Motorsport, has won three times yet has twice finished outside the top six, while Sonic’s Avramides has claimed a solo win but has never finished lower than sixth so far: and has finished the last four straight races in third position.

Entering the championship calculations last time out was Lincoln Taylor, who showed his prodigious speed by claiming two race wins and the round overall for TekworkX at Queensland Raceway.

He now sits third in the championship ahead of Kobi Williams, who is only four points further behind in fourth place and only 34 from the overall series lead with plenty of points still up for grabs.

With Kamal Mrad in fifth place, five different teams sit in the top five outright standings heading to Townsville.

In the Pro-am fight, it’s a race to catch Anthony Gilbertson who has claimed all three races and eight of nine race wins so far this year.

The ever-consistent Stephen Moylan sits a strong second having scored podium finishes across the season so far, while Kent Leicester is third heading to Townsville.

Kobi Williams leads the Jim Richards Enduro Trophy standings following the first three races having claimed two wins and a second (at Queensland) to date.

This year marks the third consecutive visit by the Michelin Sprint Challenge field to Townsville with the circuit traditionally providing plenty of action.

Last year, Lockie Bloxsom grabbed pole position with a record (1m13.8146s) lap while eventual champion Jake Santalucia grabbed the race one win.

Race two was marred by a multi-car crash at turn one that ultimately led to the race being declared early and classified as a non-event.

The third race was another dramatic affair as Santalucia looked to have the weekend locked away before a damaged radiator forced him out: Carrera Cup regular Marcos Flack sweeping through to claim the race and the round win.

It’s also a milestone weekend for the championship as it celebrates its 100th championship round.

The third visit to the Reid Park street circuit located near Townsville’s CBD, the annual visit to North Queensland has become a marquee stop on the Sprint Challenge schedule and has often served as the first street track experience for several drivers – both in Pro and Pro-Am.

Founded in 2008 as the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia has evolved to become a crucial part of the Porsche Pyramid for drivers progressing their careers through the ranks and to local or international stardom.

The series enjoys a key place in the Australian motorsport landscape with graduates competing at the highest level in Australia – including in the Repco Supercars Championship – and around the world in top flight GT and Sportscar categories.

The 100th round will be celebrated with a healthy 22-strong field that heads North with the addition of 2024 champion Oscar Targett, who will make a one-off cameo appearance driving Lachlan Harburg’s car, a headliner.

He’ll be joined by Porsche Equity-One Carrera Cup Australia Pro-Am regular Marc Cini, who makes his annual Sprint Challenge Townsville cameo this weekend.

The field is otherwise unchanged and features a hugely competitive battle for the overall and Pro championship that now enters the second half of the six-round season – having seen five race winners from the nine races contested to date.

Action commences on Friday this week with a pair of practice sessions before qualifying and race one on Saturday. Sunday will see two further races to conclude the round.

ENTRY LIST
Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, Round 3
NTI Townsville 500