Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia leader Cooper Murray will be looking to claim his third consecutive win during this weekend’s Shannons Nationals at Queensland Raceway.
Murray currently holds a 47-point lead over second-placed Simon Fallon after three rounds while round one winner Max Vidau sits not far behind in third.
After claiming the first race of the season in what was also the opening endurance of the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy in April, Murray is confident of claiming another victory in Ipswich.
“I know the track and have performed well there in the past, I can’t wait to get there,” Murray said.
“I think my season will go into somewhat of a conservative mode – don’t take unnecessary risks, get the points and hopefully finish the season in a strong position.”
On the other hand, Fallon will have to defy history when the category heads onto the track, with the former CAMS Payce Australian Formula 4 Championship driver not entirely comfortable at Queensland Raceway in recent times.
“We haven’t had our best runs at Queensland Raceway, I have only ever driven the F4 up there, so it will be a bit interesting when I go up there in the Porsche for the first time,” Fallon said.
“I am not sure what to expect. It’s one of those things where it’s a matter of just turning up and seeing what happens.”
Jimmy Vernon, Chelsea Angelo and Luis Leeds will continue their battle for fourth in the Pro class, while South Australian driver Dan Day makes his return after a serious crash at Sandown earlier this year.
Danny Stutterd headlines the best-represented class in the series with eight drivers competing in the Pro-Am class, the Victorian holding a strong lead over Brett Boulton to sit sixth outright.
Sitting just outside the top ten and fourth in the Pro-Am class, Michael Hovey will be using the round to break into the class top three, while Shane Barwood leads the remaining class competitors in Ross McGregor, Sam Filmore and Graham Williams.
Queenslander Scott Taylor will use the Ipswich round to make his long awaited Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia return.
Fantastic displays in the first three rounds see young gun Christian Pancione sit tenth outright and first in the B Class, as Phil Morriss trails not far behind in search of his first class race win.
Rounding out the six-car B Class are David Greig, Tom Taplin and Andre Goldie while Tony Martin will be looking to improve on his first round of the season after a slow start in the previous round.
The Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia’s qualifying session on Saturday morning will set up their Saturday afternoon 60-minute race before two 20-minute races on Sunday wrap up the round.
The Shannons Nationals will take place at Queensland Raceway in Ipswich on 28-29 July, with live coverage of Sunday’s session once again to be available for viewing via speedseries.com.au.
Tickets are available at the gate.
Entry List
1. #2 Dan Day (Pro) Tectaloy UNLMTD Racing
2. #7 Jimmy Vernon (Pro) McElrea Racing
3. #9 Tony Martin (Class B) Triffid Bar+Venue
4. #21 Shane Barwood (Pro-Am) Melbourne Orthopaedic Group
5. #22 Andrew Goldie (Class B) Woodford Trailers
6. #23 Daniel Stutterd (Pro-Am) The Porsche Broker
7. #26 Tom Taplin (Class B) Taplin Real Estate
8. #27 Sam Fillmore (Pro-Am)
9. #36 Cooper Murray (Pro) Lodge Bros Racing
10. #38 Chelsea Angelo (Pro) PAYCE/Wilson Security
11. #73 Michael Hovey (Pro-Am) Triffid Bar & Venue
12. #76 Christian Pancione (Class B) VCM Performance
13. #77 Max Vidau (Pro) Sonic / Bob Jane T Marts
14. #84 Brett Boulton (Pro-Am) Bold Living
15. #87 David Greig (Class B)
16. #88 Phil Morriss (Class B) Morriss Racing Services
17. #96 Simon Fallon (Pro) Sonic Motor Racing
18. #99 Ross McGregor (Pro-Am) Southern Star Windows
19. #131 Graham Williams (Pro-Am) Sonic/Williams Racing
20. #222 Scott Taylor (Pro-Am) Scott Taylor Motorsport
21. #230 Luis Leeds (Pro) OPS Gateway
