The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia returns to Queensland Raceway this weekend, with the fan-favourite series marking the final round of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy.
Porsche Junior Jordan Love leads the three-race endurance series, now in its seventh year, with fellow young-gun Brenton Grove not far behind in second and Elite class front-runner Anthony Gilbertson in third.
The end of the 40-lap race on Saturday afternoon will determine the winner of the Trophy for 2017.
Love heads into the final round as the standout favourite, having won the two previous endurance races.
“I’m really looking forward to racing at Queensland Raceway and hopefully having another strong endurance race performance on Saturday,” Love said.
“I have limited experience in a sports car at the track and while it isn’t technical as somewhere like Sydney [Motorsport Park], it will provide plenty of challenges.
“It will be a great weekend and it would be amazing to secure the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy with a strong performance in Race 1.”
Previous winners of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy include Roger Lago, Kane Rose, Richard Muscat, James Abela and Jaxon Evans.
While the eyes will be on the battle for the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy, the event also marks the penultimate round for the 2017 Porsche GT3 Cup series.
Competition in the Elite class is stronger than ever, with Sam Shahin’s strong start to the season seeing him lead the way by a mere four points to Gilbertson.
Shahin has traditionally shown impressive pace at the Ipswich circuit, with the South Australian claiming his maiden series podium at the circuit in 2015.
Gilbertson, has also showed strong form at the venue, placing second in the Elite Class for the round last season, ahead of a comprehensive pre-season test at Queensland Raceway in preparation for the 2017 season.
“I was very lucky in Sydney to reduce the points margin to Sam,” Gilbertson said.
“If I can go up to Queensland Raceway, which is my home track, and do well there, you never know who might be leading entering the final round at Phillip Island.
“I like Queensland Raceway… out of all of the tracks in Australia, I have done the most laps around QR. I also did a fair bit of testing there at the start of the year when I joined McElrea Racing, so I’m cautiously confident heading into the Queensland round.”
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli is part of Round 5 of the Shannons Nationals, held on 4-6 August.
Entry list: Round 5
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
#9 Tony Martin (Elite Class) The Triffid Bar + Venue
#11 Brendan Cook (Class B) Cairns Steel Fabrication
#13 Sam Shahin (Elite Class) HTFU
#16 John Karytinos (Elite Class) Richmonds Automotive
#19 Anthony Gilbertson (Elite Class) Hallmark Homes
#21 Shane Barwood (Elite Class) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
#23 Brenton Grove (Professional Class) Grove Hire
#29 Rob Woods (Elite Class) Platinum Nightclub
#34 John Morriss (Elite Class) Motorsport Leasing P/L
#79 Jordan Love (Professional Class) Sonic Motor Racing/Quintis
#84 Brett Boulton (Elite Class) Bold Living
#87 David Greig (Class B)
#88 Phil Morriss (Elite Class) Morriss Racing Services
#99 Ross McGregor (Elite Class) Southern Star Windows
