The Australian Prototype Series returns to the Shannons Nationals for the third round of their season with all eyes on series leaders Jason Makris and John-Paul Drake.
Currently leading the standings on 188 points, Makris and his Wolf GB08 CN go to Queensland Raceway this weekend full of confidence after picking up his maiden outright round victory for 2018 at Sandown in May.
Also in a Wolf GB08 CN, Drake, who sits two points behind Makris on the standings with 186 points, will be looking to secure his first round victory of the year, with two second place round finishes in the season thus far.
Fellow South Australian, Mark Laucke is the next in line sitting fourth overall in the standings. The 2017 champion has had a mixed season and his West WX10 which has caused him issues all season has finally been fixed ahead of the round.
“I might finally have an uninterrupted race at Queensland so I am really looking forward to it,” Laucke said.
“I don’t think I can win this year, because the type CN cars are better and faster than mine. My car is the best I can develop it, so I am hoping for whatever I can get.”
The youngest driver on the grid in Sage Murdoch and his Wolf GB08CN joins Stephen Champion in returning to the series after both missed out on the second round at Sandown.
Champion, who sits two positions above Murdoch in the standings on 14th, is one of four Radical SR3 drivers to make up the 12-car field, with Queenslanders Grant Green, Carmelo Bonaventura and Adam Beesley all making their first appearance for 2018 in a Radical.
Another four Queensland drivers will make their debuts at Ipswich as Scott Bingham and Brian Pettit will be behind the wheel of a Minetti SSV1 and David Barram in a Chiron LMP3, while West WR1000 pilot Brenton Keough is the sole competitor in the Kumho Cup.
The Australian Protoype Series kick off with a qualifying session on the Saturday morning before the first 20-minute race later in the day, with the final two races taking place on Sunday.
The Shannons Nationals takes places at Queensland Raceway in Ipswich on 27-29 July, with live coverage of Sunday’s session once again to be available for viewing via speedseries.com.au.
Entry List
Number – Driver Vehicle
1 – Mark Laucke West WX10
5 – Scott Bingham Minetti SS-V1
7 – Brenton Keough West WR1000
8 – Sage Murdoch Wolf GB08CN
10 – Grant Green Radical SR3
14 – Carmelo Bonaventura Radical SR3
27 – Adam Beesley Radical SR3
34 – Stephen Champion Radical SR3
44 – Jason Makris Wolf GB08CN
46 – David Barram Chiron LMP3
66 – John-Paul Drake Wolf GB08CN
117 – Brian Pettit Minetti SSV1
