Simon Fallon has won the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia after a dramatic final round during the Shannons Nationals at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Heading into the category’s final round, Cooper Murray held a five-point lead over the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 graduate with the round’s outcome to decide the eventual 2018 winner.
Murray extended his lead in the championship after finishing second in the first race to Fallon’s third, with the series leader only needing to finish the second race in the top-five to secure the championship.
While Jimmy Vernon was the eventual round winner, claiming both race wins for the first time this year, it was Fallon who was crowned champion, courtesy of Murray’s DNF in the second race.
Tragically, Murray’s suffered a stall and a collision at the start line ending both his race and any hopes of grabbing a maiden championship victory.
“I didn’t really know Murray had retired until halfway in the first lap,” Fallon said.
“My goal in that race was get out try and lead and let the rest sort itself out, then I got told Cooper went off in the wall so I sort of had to chill back a little bit.
“On the restart, I let Max do his thing and chase Jimmy because for me, it was a matter of finishing sixth or above.
“Really happy and really excited to have won the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia.”
Despite Fallon only winning one round for the year, his victory was reward for incredibly consistent season, where he was one of only two drivers to start and finish every race on the calendar.
“Its been a really good year, the team has just been mega,“ Fallon added.
“We have improved so much from the start of the year and it has been an unreal experience learning to deal with pressure, pre-race preparation all the little things that lead to this.
“I can’t thank the team enough. As for next year, I am not sure where I will be but I really want to be with Sonic again, they have been unreal.
“They taught me how to drive a race car. If I can be with them in something next year then I will be happy.”
For the full Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season results, click here. https://www.gt3cupchallenge.com.au/standings
