Phillip Island provided the perfect setting to open the new era for the Shannons SpeedSeries where close racing, a strong spectator attendance and field showcasing the sports cars in the country entertained.
GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS headlined the event alongside Monochrome GT4 Australia, Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia and First Focus Radical Cup Australia to make it a high quality event of racing.
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There were many highlights from the event including the Track to Town parade from the circuit to the beachside esplanade in Cowes and the grid walk ahead of the second GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS race on the Sunday, which spectators immersed themselves in.
The entry lists for both GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS and Monochrome GT4 Australia provided plenty of interest before both categories hit the track.
Six manufacturers hit the track in GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, which is the most since the category made its debut in 2021 and plans are for more to join throughout the season – namely Bentley.
Highlights from the racing included the Volante Rosso Motorsport’s charge from last to fifth and second in the two races proving the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3’s pace.
The Ferrari vs Audi battle was resumed from last year, but the addition of EMA Motorsport in the Porsche will add spice to the battle following Dorian Boccolacci’s pole position.
Jaxon Evans and Elliott Schutte lead the standings on 41-points in the Arise Racing GT Ferrari 296 GT3 from reigning championship winner Liam Talbot in the Volante Rosso Motorsport Aston Martin shared alongside Declan Fraser.
Am Class provided a redemption story through Black Wolf Motorsport’s success after the team crashed out in its first race at Phillip Island last year. Ben Schoots and Shane Woodman took the class win to share the lead in the class points with Renee Gracie after Round 1.
Eclipsing the manufacturer count in GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS, Monochrome GT4 Australia was more diverse courtesy of eight different marques being represented.
There were plenty of highlights, but the maiden success for the Nippy’s Audi squad provided the manufacturer’s first success in the category. Blake Purdie and Daniel Price proved a quick combination in Silver Cup driving the R8 LMS GT4, so will be a team to watch as the season wears on.
Audi’s success was not the only maiden win in Monochrome GT4 Australia during the round as Toyota’s Supra GT4 Evo2 won in just its second race, the Silver-Am Cup. GWR Australia, Daniel Frougas and Tim Berryman proved worthy challengers to the established teams.
Jacob Lawrence may have dominated Am Cup, but the Porsche of Chris Lillis and Nathan Callaghan was quite the contender before an unfortunate collision ensuring all three classes in Monochrome GT4 Australia will be closely fought.
Reigning Silver Cup winner Tom Hayman is joined this season by Max Geoghegan in the Method Motorsport McLaren Artura GT4, with the squad leading the standings in the class from Purdie and Price by one-point.
Aaron Seton and Jason Gomersall uphold the Mustang honours in Silver-Am Cup, while Lawrence leads the way in Am Cup.
If the racing at Phillip Island is anything to go by, it’s going to be a superb season for Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge.
The tussles between Jake Santalucia, Willie Exton, Tom Bewley, Lochie Bloxsom, Hunter Robb, Ryan Casha and James Lodge were of high quality at the Island.
Ramu Farrell was impressive in not only Am Class, but was challenging the young guns mentioned above consistently top add his name in the ring as a potential race winner during this season.
It was an amazing fightback from Santalucia following a mistake during Race 1 forced a major climb up the field in the second event up to third before dominating the finale.
Exton leads the standings after scoring two race wins from Bewley and Santalucia.
Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia was dominated by Antoine Gittany from practice to both races, but the racing provided plenty of action.
Cameron Campbell provided some competition on home ground, but had Enzo Chen for company across the weekend.
The battle between MC Corsa and Zagame Autosport during the event will be heightened as the season progresses.
Gittany leads the standings comfortably heading to Round 2.
The battle between long-time frontrunner Peter Paddon and Cooper Cutts was a spectacular opening to the First Focus Radical Cup Australia season at Phillip Island.
Paddon and Cutts were the class of the field, with the score 2-1 in the former’s favour.
The round also showcased the performances of the latest specification Radical SR3 XXR, which debuted last year and had grown in numbers for this season.
Am Class will also be pretty interesting, with Peter Clare and Terry Knowles hardly separated across the opening round providing an added side note to the outright battle.
Fans will enjoy a repeat dose of the Shannons SpeedSeries and these five categories at Sydney Motorsport Park on May 2-4.