The Shannons Nationals heads to Queensland Raceway for the fourth round of 2018, with five categories to take centre stage across two days of jam-packed action.
Headlining the five categories is the Jacuzzi Spas Australian Production Cars, with the series holding two 300-kilometre races throughout the weekend.
Series leader Beric Lynton will be out to make it three wins from the previous four attempts, with category manager Iain Sherrin proud of the category’s growing popularity.
“Having such a strong entry list for this weekend’s round two of our 2018 season is a testament to the health and vitality of this exciting category which is growing from strength to strength,” Sherrin said.
The weekend’s action will be kicked off when the National Sports Sedans Series’ biggest names head onto the track for qualifying to set up their three-20 minute races over the weekend.
Inaugural Sports Sedan champion and legend Kerry Baily headlines the 25-car field, while ten-time NSSS winner Tony Ricciardello will also be competing in the event.
“It feels good to compete with someone like Tony Ricciardello but we don’t want get too ahead of ourselves,” Tamasi said
A Shannons Nationals regular in the Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia also heads to Ipswich for their fourth round, with series leader Cooper Murray looking to make it three round wins in a row.
With a field of 23 expected to grid up, second placed Simon Fallon is the best chance to beat Murray, but will have to recreate history at a track that has not been kind to him in the past.
“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,” Fallon said.
The Cup will open up with qualifying on Saturday morning, which will set up their Saturday afternoon 60-minute race before two 20-minute races on Sunday.
Making their first and only appearance at the Nationals this year is the Hyundai Series X3 Queensland with more than 30 competitors expected to take the grid.
While the series’ reaches its halfway point with four drivers all in title contention, first-year driver Richard Peasey hopes to use his Queensland Raceway experience to build on his lead at the top.
“I hold the lap record in an Excel at Queensland Raceway so we are looking for a strong result there and then see where that leads us for the remainder of the season.”
The Excels’ Saturday morning qualifying session sets up their first 20 minute race on Saturday, which also marks the first official race for the weekend, before two races on Sunday wrap up their national campaign.
The Australian Prototype Series returns for their third round with just two points separating Jason Makris and John-Paul Drake at the top of the standings.
Not far behind the duo is 2017 winner Mark Laucke who is just hoping to make the podium for the round.
“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,” Laucke said.
The Shannons Nationals takes places 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.
