A further three Shannons SpeedSeries-featured categories concluded their respective 2023 campaigns on the weekend, with each crowning a new champion in the process.
The S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship, Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS and the Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series all took to the streets of Adelaide for four days of action as part of the VAILO Adelaide 500, provided plenty of entertainment from start to finish.
S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship
Aaron Cameron claimed a maiden Motorsport Australia Gold Star award following a dominant display in all three category races.
The Team Valvoline GRM entry entered the round with a healthy lead over Cooper Webster but was barely challenged all weekend long after a pole position led to a cruisy race one win ahead of teammate Jordan Boys and Nippy’s Versa Motorsport’s Blake Purdie.
A disrupted second race saw the top two remain the same, while Hangcha Racing’s Ben Bargwanna this time rounded out the podium places.
Back-to-back race wins had already mathematically confirmed the title for Cameron, but one final lights-to-flag performance in race three would ultimately kick off the celebrations whilst also securing the category’s Tasman Cup for a second time.
The top three remained the same in that final race, also ensuring they would share the overall round podium in the same order.
WORLD COPYRIGHT: RACE PROJECT
Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS
A three-way title fight heading into the round went right down to the final race, where Liam Talbot would celebrate his first category series win ahead of Geoff Emery and Yasser Shahin.
Talbot entered the round with a slight lead over Geoff Emery but would ultimately finish ahead of his closest series rival in both of the first two races, claiming second and first respectively alongside German driver, Christopher Mies.
Talbot’s race two win immediately ruled Shahin out of title contention, despite the Porsche driver taking victory in race one and three alongside Matt Campbell, eventually securing the round win.
With 16 points the gap and 17 points availble for that final race, all Talbot and Mies needed to do was finish the race to secure the title, while Emery, alongside Max Hofer, needed to win.
In the end, a third place finish would secure the title for Talbot, with Emery and Hofer’s weekend-best second place finish not enough to spoil the party.
WORLD COPYRIGHT: RACE PROJECT
Gulf Western Oil Touring Car Masters Series
Three podium finishes for long-time series leader, Steven Johnson ensured he would leave Adelaide as champion following a dominant year behind the wheel of his rapid Ford Mustang Trans Am.
It would have required a near-miracle for his closest title rival, Ryan Hansford to close the 75-point gap heading into the round, but he was able to record two podium finishes and end the season on a high.
Taking the round win was hometown-hero Joel Heinrich, who kicked off his winning ways with victory in race one despite only leading half a lap for the entirety of the race.
Hansford would finish second ahead of the eventual champion in Johnson, before the top three would again repeat their efforts in race two – where Heinrich would this time cruise to a more convincing victory.
The third and final race of the weekend saw the round winner complete a clean sweep of race wins for the second time in South Australia this year, but would this time cross the line ahead of Johnson, with Cameron Tilley filling the final step on the podium.
The round also bid a farewell to category legend, John Bowe – who was almost unable to take to the track for his farewell race due to a mechanical issue in his Holden Torana.
Fortunately, an incredible gesture saw Jim Pollicina hand over his own Torana to give Bowe the farewell he deserved after decades of competing in the popular Muscle Car category.
WORLD COPYRIGHT: RACE PROJECT
