O’Brien Racing launches 2019 campaign

2014 champion Steve Richards ready for Carrera Cup return

O’Brien Racing has officially launched its 2019 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia campaign with the unveiling of a striking new livery.

The new-look O’Brien Racing outfit will be led by five-time Bathurst 1000 winner Steve Richards and his successful Steve Richards Motorsport team as they return to the championship after a two-season absence.

The unveiling of the O’Brien Racing livery marks the official start of Richards’ return to Porsche Carrera Cup, as he looks to add to the title he won in the prestigious one-make series in 2014.

“I’m really excited to be returning to the Porsche Carrera Cup this season,” said Richards.

“It’s a fantastic championship, the latest-spec car is sensational and the entire SRM crew can’t wait to get the season started.”

O’Brien Racing may be a fresh addition to the Australian motorsport scene, but for Richards, there’s a sense of familiarity thanks to his long association with the O’Brien owned Laser Plumbing & Electrical brand, which has been a crucial part of his Porsche and GT programmes since 2011.

“Two of Australia’s leading services brands, O’Brien® & Laser came together in early 2018, creating O’Brien Electrical and Plumbing. O’Brien continue to develop the business model created by Laser with a focus on customers and the success of their Members while they expand services beyond vehicle glass repair and replacement and glazing and make a bigger difference to more Australians.”

“With Laser’s culture of providing a ‘totally dependable’ customer service and the O’Brien philosophy of ‘solving people’s problems with real care’, it seems like a match made in heaven.”

O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing Director Steve Keil welcomed the transition to O’Brien Racing and Richards’ return to the Porsche Carrera Cup for 2019.

“We’re proud to have Steve Richards on board as our ambassador and thrilled to have O’Brien Racing on the Carrera Cup grid this year,” said Keil.

“The ongoing support of Richo is a key part of our national marketing strategy, particularly through the eight-round, fully-televised Porsche Carrera Cup season.

“While the branding is new, we have a long association with Richo through that side of our business. Given that customer care is the foundation of our business, nurturing a long-term relationship is the right fit for the O’Brien® brand.

“The O’Brien Racing Porsche looks fantastic and we can’t wait to see it on track.”

Richards added that the entire sponsorship group is crucial to getting the O’Brien Racing programme up and running for the 2019 season.

“I’m really proud to represent some incredible partners as we head back to Porsche Carrera Cup this year,” he said.

“BP Ultimate are also steadfast in their support of our O’Brien Racing Porsche Carrera Cup team.”

Adam Arnold, GM of Marketing at BP Australia says, “BP Australia is proud to partner with Steve Richards Motorsports again in 2019.  We are looking forward to seeing our most advanced fuel brand, BP Ultimate, on Steve’s Porsche. Good luck in the 2019 race season.”

“Mosley Mining continue as a long-term partner of the team, along with DAF trucks providing our XF105 prime mover,” added Richards.

“We’ll also continue our support of Beyond Blue in 2019. It’s a partnership that stems from our previous association with Laser Plumbing & Electrical and continues under O’Brien® , but more recently we have been touched personally by mental health issues close to our family and friends.”

The 2019 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship commences at the Superloop Adelaide 500, between February 28-March 3.

Stevens returns for title tilt

Wall Racing confirms TAG Heuer Pro-Am contender for full season

WALL RACING has confirmed David Stevens will contest the full Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia in 2019, fighting for the TAG Heuer Pro-Am title. 

Stevens will race the distinctive Brennan IT #50 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car for the full season alongside Wall Racing teammates, David Wall and Liam Talbot.

Stevens, an accomplished racer in GT-style machinery, contested the final two rounds of the 2018 season as a warm-up to his full-time campaign this year.

Though results didn’t fall his way at Mount Panorama and Surfers Paradise, the performance was enough to impress a former outright series champion.

“David did a fantastic job on debut at Bathurst and was on track for a podium result,” Team Owner David Wall explained.

“Unfortunately, the final race didn’t go to plan, however his speed and results on debut impressed the team and hopefully will underline further success in 2019 that he deserves.

“David is not only a great guy, but he is also doing a fantastic job driving the car. His data and work ethic towards his Motorsport is first class and I’m sure comes from his previous success as a gold medalist in cycling,” Wall added.

David will be supported once again by Brennan IT in his 2019 campaign.

Stevens will test at Wakefield Park this week ahead of the opening round of the 2019 championship at the Superloop Adelaide 500 on February 28 to March 3.

Coffex to boost both Porsche series in 2019

Official Coffee supplier expands support in 2019

Teams across Porsche’s two Australian one-make motor racing series have cause for celebration with confirmation of Coffex Coffee Roasters increased support of both the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia championships in 2019.

Coffex has been closely aligned with the Carrera Cup championship since the start of the 2015 season when it began as the Official Coffee Supplier of Australia’s premier sports car series – part of which included providing coffee, tea and associated products to all involved in the championship.

Not only will the popular service continue for the 2019 Carrera Cup championship but also expand to include the GT3 Cup Challenge series for all of its six rounds this season.

The new agreement also coincides with the introduction of a new racing-inspired Sanremo ‘Cafe Racer’ Coffee Machine, which will be unveiled to the series at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.

“We are thrilled to continue our strong partnership with Coffex Coffee Roasters into the 2019 Carrera Cup season, but also expand their involvement into the 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge season,” said Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager Troy Bundy.

“The benefits Coffex provide to Carrera Cup has played a crucial role in the overall racing experience for our drivers, teams, sponsors and all attending our motor racing events, evident from the tremendous feedback we receive. This expanded partnership is exciting for our motor racing programme as we continue to enhance and innovate the on- and off-track experiences for our motorsport customers.”

Meanwhile, Coffex Coffee Roasters Marketing Manager Ernest Tong is thrilled to continue the partnership with Porsche and its Australian one-make series.

“Coffex and Porsche have enjoyed a tremendous partnership across the past four Carrera Cup season and it’s exciting to enter our fifth season with Carrera Cup in addition to now partner the GT3 Cup Challenge for 2019,” said Ernest.

“We are looking forward to working with Porsche in 2019 and increase our presence at this year’s motor racing events and also debuting a uniquely customised Café Racer with Porsche liveries by Sanremo Coffee Machines Australia, which brings a distinct racing flavour to the Porsche Paddock in 2019.”

Coffex Coffee Roasters will continue to receive branding on all Porsche Carrera Cup Australia entries this season, while all Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia race cars will now run Coffex branding for the first time in 2019.

Coffex – https://www.coffex.com.au/
Sanremo – http://www.sanremoaustralia.com.au/

Mega support for N2C Porsche in 2019

Major backer and livery launched for Luff's Carrera Cup return

Returning Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia star, Warren Luff will have his McElrea Racing campaign supported by Gold Coast-based fuel distributor, MEGA Limited in 2019.

Luff unveiled his striking MEGA Porsche at the companies new Yatala headquarters this morning, while MEGA also confirmed their support of the No Second Chance program that will also support Luff’s McElrea Porsche this year.

It represents his return to Australia’s fastest single-make racing series after last racing Carrera Cup in 2014. He will be McElrea Racing’s outright Championship spearhead with Tim Miles and Anthony Gilbertson challenging for the hotly contested TAG Heuer Pro-Am Title.

Over recent years, while not being behind the wheel, Luff played an integral role within the McElrea Racing setup – mentoring Matt Campbell to the Championship in 2016 and Jaxon Evans to last year’s Title – both youngsters now based in Germany as factory-backed Porsche Juniors in Porsche Supercup.

The two time PIRTEK Enduro Cup Champion will again co-drive for Walkinshaw Andretti United in the Supercars endurance races, which further extends his relationship with MEGA, which earlier this month was unveiled as the co-naming rights sponsor of the team.

“McElrea Racing has proved itself as the outfit to beat in the Series. With Matt and Jaxon having won two of the last three years, the pressure’s really on to step up to the plate!

“I’m thrilled to be back in Carrera Cup, the competition seems to get tighter and tighter each year and this year will be no exception. There are some very quick new guys coming in, along with some drivers that have a few years there already, so it’s going to be on from the first race in Adelaide to the Gold Coast finale.

“To have MEGA come on-board for the season is fantastic. They are committed to motorsport in a big way and through my Supercars involvement at Walkinshaw Andretti United, I’ve had the chance to interact with the MEGA team and they are some of the most passionate sponsors going around, so to represent them here in Carrera Cup and in the quest for my third PIRTEK Enduro Cup is something I’m pretty excited about!”

Team Principal, Andy McElrea welcomed Luff back to the Carrera Cup grid – and MEGA to his team.

“Over recent years, Warren’s been at the centre of our team in the two year programs we had with both Matt (Campbell) and Jaxon (Evans) – and in both cases he has mentored them to Championships and global scholarships with the Porsche factory,” said McElrea.

“He’s one of the most consistent drivers going around and I couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Carrera Cup grid after spending those years on the sidelines. You could see at every round that he was itching to be out there and he’ll be right there from race one.

“I am also very happy to welcome a new naming rights sponsor in MEGA Limited to our team and to Carrera Cup. MEGA has established a well-recognised brand in a short period of time and is expanding rapidly. We’re elated that we can add further excitement to the MEGA Racing program this year and play our role in seeing them expand even more across Australia.”

Also part of Luff’s MEGA/McElrea Racing campaign in 2019 is Gold Coast-based Youth Charity, No Second Chance.

Luff – who is the lead stunt driver at Warner Bros Movie World – has played an ambassadorial role in No Second Chance since its launch in 2013 and will be central to the school visits associated with every Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia event this year.

No Second Chance delivers positive messages to teens about making correct decisions, highlighting the devastating effects of youth violence and driving under the influence.

MEGA Limited has also aligned itself with No Second Chance and it will be spreading the N2C message nationally through its growing bulk fuel distribution platform.

No Second Chance has long used a partnership with leading Porsche Carrera Cup Australia team, McElrea Racing to drive its message.

The Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Championship gets underway in under two weeks’ time at the Superloop Adelaide 500 (February 28-March 3) and will wind its way across Australia until the Gold Coast 600 (October 25-27).

Wall: ‘2019 field as competitive as ever’

Former champion confirms 2019 plans and returning sponsor

Former Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia Champion David Wall has his eyes on the 2019 title though believes the 2019 field will be as competitive as the championship has seen.

Wall has experienced three strong seasons in the Porsche championship since his return after a stint in the Supercars Championship, placing third, first and second over the past three years.

The Sydney-based team owner now anticipates another extremely competitive season ahead, not only because of the return of several experienced racers but also due to his younger opponents looking to fill the void created by out-going champion Jaxon Evans.

“I think we’re in a good position to fight for the 2019 title. Over the past three Carrera Cup seasons we’ve finished third, first and second and since Jaxon and Dylan have moved on to other series, we are in a good position for fight for the 2019 championship,” said Wall, who suggests this feat won’t come easily.

“The depth of talent in Carrera Cup this season is unbelievable. The drivers with experience will be really hard to beat throughout the season, including guys like Warren Luff, Steven Richards and Dale Wood, who you know will be strong at every track.

“There is also great youth once again coming through the category. You look at Jaxon Evans; he was at the front of the Carrera Cup field at the end of his first season before becoming a real contender in his second season. I fully expect Jordan Love to do the same; he was really impressive in the latter round of 2018 and will be in the hunt for the 2019 title.

“Also don’t discount Cooper Murray; although it’s his first year in Carrera Cup he was super impressive in GT3 Cup Challenge last season and it shouldn’t be long before he is racing near the front of the Carrera Cup field this season.

“The top 10 in Carrera Cup will be immensely competitive and racing within the top five will be extremely close. I’m really looking forward to getting to Adelaide and seeing what we can produce in 2019.”

Wall will again take PAYCE into the 2019 season as the major backer for the #38 Wall Racing entry.

“A massive thank you to PAYCE for continuing their support, and hopefully we can repay them with a strong season and great championship result.”

Valuable technical partnership confirmed for Cameron Hill

Canberra racer partners with GWR Australia for 2019 season

Second-year Porsche Carrera Cup racer Cameron Hill believes a technical alliance with an established outfit will help him and his team unlock race-winning speed in 2019.

Hill’s team will partner with the GWR Australia operation, the two squads agreeing to share data and technical resources at race meetings.

While Hill demonstrated his talent with a podium finish at Bathurst last year, the 22-year-old said the team’s lack of experience with the Porsche meant they started each round at a disadvantage compared to most others.

“We were learning on the run last year, and while other teams were able to arrive at each circuit with a clear baseline, we were usually a step behind,” Hill said.

“While everyone put in a massive effort, we lacked a few key human resources. I was analysing my own data between sessions, and there was a lot of guesswork with driving technique and car setup.

“The GWR outfit has a wealth of experience running Porsches, and one of the main advantages will be working with their data engineer, Dejan Ninic.

“I’ve seen Dejan in action and done a bit of work with him in the past. He’s an absolute gun when it comes to data analysis – he can instantly determine how a race car is behaving, and recommend adjustments to the car or the way I’m driving it.”

The GWR drivers will also benefit from the alliance, the father-and-son team of Indiran and Duvashen Padayachee being able to access Hill’s data.

“Indiran and Duvashen are both very passionate about motorsport, and keen to improve their own performances,” Hill said.

“Duvashen has had some strong results, especially in endurance races like the Bathurst 12 Hour where he has finished in the top four outright. I look forward to working with both of them.”

Hill and GWR tested at Winton yesterday ahead of the Carrera Cup opener at the Adelaide 500 in a fortnight.

Father-son combo confirmed for 2019 season

Duvashen joins father Indiran at Garth Walden Racing

TAG Heuer Pro-Am racer Indiran Padayachee will be joined on the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia grid by his Pro-ranked son, Duvashen Padayachee, for the 2019 season.

While the duo has never faced one another in Carrera Cup competition, they did become the first father-son combination to race any international Carrera Cup round in the same entry during the 2015 two-driver Pro-Am event at Phillip Island.

For the first time, both Indiran and Duvashen have committed to the 2019 Carrera Cup Australia season, racing with Sydney based outfit GWR Australia.

“It’s a pretty exciting prospect to think I will be racing the entire Carrera Cup Australia season alongside my father,” said Duvashen, who has 32 Carrera Cup round starts to his name since his series debut in Adelaide, 2013.

“I’ve seen Dad race the new Carrera Cup car throughout the 2018 season and I’d be lying to say that I wasn’t immensely jealous at every single round. Entering the 2019 season, the time was right to step back into the Carrera Cup championship.

“I’ve had some laps in the new Carrera Cup car, which was very impressive. It is certainly a great evolution of the 2014-spec 911 GT3 Cup car I raced previously in Carrera Cup and I can’t to take it to Adelaide and get the season underway.”

Upon completing his first full-time season in Carrera Cup, Indiran Padayachee is excited to become the first father-son combination to race in Carrera Cup since Stephen and Brenton Grove at the 2017 Gold Coast finale.

“2018 was a great first year in the championship with really strong Pro-Am competition,” said Indiran, who will enter his ninth Carrera Cup round in Adelaide.

“With a full season under my belt, I’m really looking forward to 2019; not only will I be better prepared for the challenges ahead, but it’s also really special to race in the same team as Duvashen and share the experience with him.”

Talbot confirmed for Carrera Cup campaign

Laim Talbot joins Wall Racing

Experienced sports car racer Liam Talbot will this season contest the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia championship with Wall Racing.

Talbot has vast experience in the Porsche 911 GT3 R and will aim to translate this knowledge to the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car used in the Australian one-make series.

“I’m super excited to be joining Carrera Cup. I’ve kept a close eye on the championship for some time and it’s great to now join Carrera Cup with Wall Racing,” said Talbot.

“The depth of talent in the field is really impressive and the series races at the best tracks and events in Australia, which was a real attraction for me. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and start the season.”

Talbot will have his first laps of the 911 GT3 Cup on Wednesday February 13 but believes his previous Porsche experience should assist in acclimatising to his new race car.

“If I was coming into Carrera Cup with no 911 experience I’d be more hesitant. Hopefully my time in the 911 GT3 R makes it easier to learn and adapt to the GT3 Cup car ahead of the Carrera Cup season.”

Wall Racing team owner and driver David Wall is also looking forward to having Talbot as part of his Sydney-based operation.

“To be able to have Liam as a part of our team is a welcome addition. I feel that he will hit the ground running come round one in Adelaide, and we are all looking forward to seeing what he can produce as the season progresses,” said Wall.

Talbot will race in the TAG Heuer Pro-Am division, adding to the already strong competition throughout the semi-professional class.

Porsche and Michelin announce new-look 2019 Junior Programme

Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia

Tyre prizes, entry fees and a trip to Germany… young Australian-based Porsche drivers will this season race for a substantial $300,000 prize pool as part of a new-look Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia in 2019.

Porsche Cars Australia and Michelin Australia have again partnered to deliver one of Australia’s most comprehensive and successful driver development programmes spanning across both Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia and Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia one-make sports car championships.

Instead of nominating a select few Michelin Juniors at the start of the season, the new format allows all drivers who meet the selection criteria to race for a variety of prizes at each round. Across both series, each Michelin Junior round winner will receive free entry for the subsequent round, while the top three placed Michelin Juniors for each round will receive a free set of Michelin race tyres. All Michelin Juniors will also be invited to participate in a driver education and training course in March.

The programme will now also feature a Michelin Super Round, to be held at the Australian Grand Prix, from which the round-winning Michelin Junior will receive a trip to Germany to attend the Formula E Berlin E-Prix on May 25.

The Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout will continue to play a crucial role; the best placed Michelin Junior in Carrera Cup at the time of nomination for the Shootout will be the series’ selection for the 2019 driver evaluation event, giving the selected Michelin Junior the chance to follow in Matt Campbell’s and Jaxon Evan’s wheel tracks to Europe.

The 2019 Michelin Junior winner from Carrera Cup will also receive a trip to Germany in December to attend the 2019 Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions in Weissach.

“The Porsche Michelin Junior Programme is an important element of Porsche Cars Australia’s motor racing programme and we’re therefore thrilled to announce this new-look format for 2019,” said Troy Bundy, Porsche Cars Australia Motorsport Manager.

“Our local Porsche Motorsport Pyramid has proven success, initially with Matt Campbell establishing his professional racing career in Europe. Then 2018 Michelin Junior Jaxon Evans followed two years later upon winning the international Junior Programme Shootout. Locally, we’re immensely proud to have had these two incredible talents rise through our system and we hope that this programme gives the current cast of Michelin Juniors the best possible chance to follow in Matt’s and Jaxon’s footsteps.

“Such a comprehensive driver development programme wouldn’t be possible without the support of Michelin Australia, who sees the potential in current Australian-based Porsche drivers and the importance to providing a programme through which young drivers can realise their racing dreams.”

Michelin Australia’s Marketing Manager Oceania, Swaroop Tulsidas, is excited to continue the French brand’s support of the region’s young racers.

“Michelin is proud to once again support the Junior Programme in 2019. The local partnership we have built with Porsche provides the Australian motorsport community with the most successful driver development programme currently available and we look forward to continuing this support into 2019,” said Tulsidas.

“Michelin’s ultimate goal for this programme is to help fast-track young and talented drivers from the region to the highest level of international motorsport. This year, we have made some improvements to the programme to benefit every Michelin Junior looking to grow on and off the track, including the exciting Michelin Super Round concept to include some added incentive at the Carrera Cup round at Albert Park.

“Le Mans winners Matt Campbell and Earl Bamber are providing a clear picture of what global success looks like with Porsche and Michelin. We wish our 2018 Michelin Junior Jaxon Evans the same fortune and look forward to welcoming and growing the class of 2019.”

To be eligible as a Michelin Junior in 2019, GT3 Cup Challenge drivers must be aged under 23 as of January 01, 2019, and Carrera Cup drivers must be aged under 25 as of January 01, 2019, without having previously attended the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout. All Michelin Juniors in each series must also commit to a full season and carry additional Michelin Junior branding on their race car and helmet.

For more information on the 2019 Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia, download the 2019 Michelin Junior Guide from the following link: http://bit.ly/MichelinJunior

Open wheel ace makes Carrera Cup move

Tom Maxwell joins Porsche one-make series

Young open wheel racer Tom Maxwell will transition to sports car competition this season upon joining the 2019 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia championship.

The 20-year-old Darwin native contested the 2015 Australian Formula Ford Championship before moving to Europe, first to race in the 2016 British Formula 3 Championship ahead of a two-year stint in Formula Renault Eurocup in 2017 and 2018.

Maxwell will now move to the Australian one-make championship to start his climb of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid and, ultimately, return to European competition with the German sports car brand.

“I’m super happy initially just to be coming back to Australia and making the step into such an iconic global racing championship in Carrera Cup,” said Maxwell.

“There were many reasons we chose the Carrera Cup route as the next step after Formula Renault. I know the cars are fantastic to drive and the calendar is probably one of the best throughout Australia. The Carrera Cup competition is also incredibly strong and the depth of talent is amazing, which was another main attraction for us, to be able to race against, and learn from, far more experience rivals.

“I’ve had some laps in the 911 GT3 Cup car and it was very fun to drive. It’s has some real character about it; it’s really quick and has a fair bit of grip so I think they will be pretty cool cars to race.”

Maxwell will contest the 2019 Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia season with Sonic Motor Racing Services in the 911 GT3 Cup race car campaigned by Peter Major throughout the 2018 season.

Carrera Cup secures PAYCE as 2019 Title Partner

Porsche series confirms major backer for milestone season

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will enter its 15th season on track alongside its new Title Partner, PAYCE, as the property development and investment company expands its involvement in the Porsche championship.

PAYCE’s association with Australia’s leading one-make series spans several seasons, firstly as the major backer of former champion David Wall among other Porsche drivers, then as a Series Partner for the successful 2018 Carrera Cup season.

PAYCE is now Carrera Cup’s Title Partner, with the championship to become the Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia.

This announcement precedes one of Carrera Cup’s most anticipated seasons. Several high-profile drivers have confirmed their continuation or return to Carrera Cup, including Wall, Steven Richards, Warren Luff and Dale Wood, while the series will again feature an incredible roster of both young up-and-coming racers and TAG Heuer Pro-Am ranked drivers. Meanwhile, Carrera Cup’s return to Townsville means that five of the eight 2019 events will be broadcast live on free-to-air television, while almost all qualifying and races will be available to watch across a comprehensive broadcast package, which includes coverage on Network Ten, Fox Sports and new streaming service, Kayo.

“This is a tremendous announcement ahead of what will be one of Carrera Cup’s strongest seasons on track. PAYCE has been a long-term supporter of drivers within our series and, more recently, an incredible partner for the series itself,” said Toni Andreevski, Porsche Cars Australia Director of Marketing & Motorsport.

“PAYCE’s confirmation as a Title Partner comes at a great time for the series; Carrera Cup enters what is expected to be one of its most exciting championship battles to date while the championship’s exposure will be better than ever with the addition of Townsville to a season that also includes the Adelaide 500, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600.

“PAYCE’s commitment to Carrera Cup also illustrates the current level of professionalism and popularity of the Porsche championship and we look forward to working with PAYCE to deliver another exciting season on and off the race track.”

PAYCE Chief Financial Officer, Brian Bailison, sees the synergy in the expanded partnership with Carrera Cup and Porsche.

“The decision to become the series naming rights partner was made after a great maiden season as an official Series Partner. We were thrilled with Carrera Cup and its commercial platform and so it’s great to take the opportunity to expand on this partnership into 2019 as the Title Partner,” said Bailison.

“On track, Carrera Cup provides a premium racing championship that aligns perfectly with PAYCE’s values around presentation, quality and brand and is a key element of what we look for in a partnership.”

The 2019 season of Porsche PAYCE Carrera Cup Australia will commence at the Superloop Adelaide 500 from February 28 to March 03, 2019.

Carrera Cup promotion for teenage racer

Cooper Murray confirms Carrera Cup entry

Young racer Cooper Murray will take his next step up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid later this month when lining up for the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season opener at the Adelaide 500.

The 17-year-old Melbourne-based driver was one of the stand-out performers in last year’s Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series, scoring eight race wins and narrowly missing out on the 2018 series title.

With a season of Porsche one-make experience, Murray will continue with Ashley Seward Motorsport for his first Carrera Cup season.

“I’m certainly excited for the season ahead,” said Murray.

“I had a great season in GT3 Cup Challenge last year and achieved far more than I expected. The series was great preparation for Carrera Cup as the cars are obviously very similar with a lot of talented drivers. Naturally Carrera Cup’s on-track competition is at another level and I can’t wait to be in the same field as the likes of David Wall, Warren Luff and Steven Richards, a five-time Bathurst 1000 winner.

“It’s going to be a massive challenge and hopefully a great learning year for me. The Adelaide 500 can’t come soon enough.”

Murray follows in the footsteps of several successful Porsche one-make drivers who have used GT3 Cup Challenge as a springboard to Carrera Cup. Two such examples, Matt Campbell and Jaxon Evans, won the Carrera Cup title in their second attempts before winning the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout, a development pathway Murray hopes to replicate.

“Our goal is to run a two-year Carrera Cup programme; the first year will be to learn all the tracks as I’ve only been to two of the eight tracks on the calendar. Hopefully then I can have a crack at the championship in the second year with the intention to continue my climb of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid into Europe.”

Love eyes Campbell, Evans pathway with Porsche

Young gun plans for continued motorsport pyramid ascent

Jordan Love has a clear goal… and knows what he has to do. The West Australian has seen the rise and rise of now-Porsche Young Professional and recent Bathurst 12 Hour hero Matt Campbell who, like himself, started in Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia before graduating to Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.

Campbell has since risen to fame in international sports car racing and now Jaxon Evans is the latest Carrera Cup Champion to win the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout and secure a position on the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup grid in 2019.

Continuing in the #777 Bob-Jane T-Marts-sponsored, Sonic Motor Racing Services-run Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Love now looks to continue in their footsteps. Like Campbell and Evans, Love found success in GT3 Cup Challenge before securing his first race and round win in his maiden debut Carrera Cup season while defeating more experienced rivals in the final standings.

With Campbell and Evans now under the wing of Porsche Motorsport, Love has his sights on the 2019 Carrera Cup title and becoming the third Carrera Cup Australia graduate in four seasons to race in the white Porsche Junior race suit.

“Since joining GT3 Cup Challenge in 2017 I have had the goal of using the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in Australia to progress my driving and hopefully one day becoming a Porsche-supported driver in Europe. Seeing Jaxon win the Shootout and make his own move to Europe further shows that it is possible to climb Porsche’s pyramid in Australia and become an international Porsche Junior. I’ve never been more motivated to reach this goal than now,” said Love.

“The 2018 season was a great year for us and I never thought that it would result in me getting my first Carrera Cup race win in Sydney and then my first round win at Bathurst.

“I learnt at Sydney what it takes to win a race, but at Bathurst I was able to convert that into a race weekend, and that’s what is vital for any title chase.

“Obviously my goal is to be a contender for the 2019 Carrera Cup championship. There’s a wealth of experienced drivers this season like David Wall, Steven Richards, Dale Wood and Warren Luff, who are no doubt going to make life extremely hard on track… but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Hill brings Olympic influence to 2019 Porsche campaign

Cameron Hill appoints former Olympic coach

Young Canberra-based racer Cameron Hill hopes that a key addition to his family-run team will provide a boost to his 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia chances.

Hill had a horror start to his rookie Carrera Cup season in 2018 though vastly improved towards the end of the season, highlighted by a string of three fourth-place finishes at Bathurst.

In his second Carrera Cup season, Hill has employed the services of former Olympic triathlon coach Ben Gathercole as performance manager for the 2019 season, in a move Hill says will lift the team to greater heights.

“Last year, there were times when I was very much involved in the organisational side of the race team, even on weekends,” Hill said.

“It’s no secret we’re only a small operation, and I enjoy the hands-on aspects of running the team, but on race weekends we identified the need for someone to manage the logistics so I could dedicate my entire focus to driving the race car.”

Gathercole guided Canberra triathlete Simon Thompson to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and from 2014 to 2017 he was team director for the Brumbies SuperRugby squad.

“While Ben hasn’t worked within the motorsport industry, a lot of the principles of our sport are very much the same as other sports,” added Hill.

“Ben has vast experience maximising the performance of both individual athletes and larger teams – this is very relevant to motor racing, which is both an individual and a team sport.

“We’ve always prided ourselves on our individuality, and coming from a non-motorsport background, Ben has a lot of fresh ideas. He’s looked at how we operate and already identified areas where we can improve.

“We want to bring a disciplined approach to our structures this season. Carrera Cup is so dynamic and as a small family team we are learning every day. To have someone like Ben to help steer a steady and disciplined path through the noise will help us achieve our potential – there will be a few major changes in place for the start of the season, which I’m already excited about.”

Hill finished the 2018 Carrera Cup season ninth in the standings and third in the Michelin Junior points.

Q&A: Evans on Bathurst, cold take-away and signing with Porsche

Carrera Cup and Michelin Junior winner ready for 2019 challenges

Reigning Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Champion Jaxon Evans will make a high-profile debut as a factory-selected Porsche Junior in the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour, starting as one of the favourites to win the fiercely-contested Pro-Am category.

The 22-year-old expatriate New Zealander, who defeated the best young international Carrera Cup drivers to win last November’s Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout at France’s Circuit Paul Ricard, will take his next step up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, co-driving the Porsche 911 GT3 R that was poised to win last year’s Bathurst 12 Hour outright until a red flag foreshortened the event in its final moments.

Evans will replace fellow Carrera Cup Australia Champion turned Porsche Young Professional Matt Campbell in the #12 Competition Motorsport 911 GT3 R, owned by Australian David Calvert-Jones and managed by Queensland’s McElrea Racing, as Campbell steps up into a factory-backed #912 Earl Bamber Motorsport 911 GT3 R for the opening round of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge in Porsche’s bid for a long-overdue Bathurst outright victory.

Importantly for Evans, his principal teammate is French GT specialist and Porsche Works driver Kévin Estre, who has been a key driver for Porsche in the past two Bathurst 12 Hour races.

Evans’ rise with Porsche saw the New Zealander race in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia series for two seasons (2015-2016), placing runner-up in 2016. Evans then moved to Porsche Carrera Cup Australia for the following two years (2017-2018), winning in his second attempt in one of the series’ most competitive seasons to date.

We caught up with Evans in the Gold Coast ahead of the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour and his eventual move to Europe to contest the 2019 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Jaxon Evans Q&A

Q: When did you find out that you had won Porsche’s Junior Programme Shootout?

Jaxon Evans: “I was on my way with my girlfriend to pick up some take-away when I got the call from Germany. When I was told I had been chosen from the 11 finalists, I just went numb.

“The first people I called were my parents, who were on their way to a movie, but we went back to their place to celebrate with my then-cold take-away dinner.”

Q: What did this mean to you?

Jaxon Evans: “I had been working towards that phone call since I started racing Porsches four years ago in GT3 Cup Challenge. It was a life-changing moment.”

Q: When did the reality sink in?

Jaxon Evans: “The reality sunk in when I was mixing with all the Porsche factory drivers I had idolised at the ‘Night of Champions’ dinner in Stuttgart, where I was to collect my award for winning the 2018 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia title. I was amongst all my heroes and I thought, ‘Now I‘m one of them’.”

Q: What happened then?

Jaxon Evans: “I stayed on in Germany for a few days. I had a fitness assessment – I did OK, but even though I was pretty fit, there was room for improvement – and discussed my team options for the 2019 season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

“It was a bit of an eye-opener. They knew I was quick, so the focus wasn’t on my driving. Instead they wanted me to become the best athlete I could be out of the car so that I could deliver my best inside the car. They gave me a set plan to work on back in Australia over the Christmas/New Year period.”

Q: When did you find out you’d be driving in the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour?

Jaxon Evans: “I found out that I’d be driving a Porsche at Bathurst at the Awards dinner when Matt Campbell was announced as a driver in the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge that starts at Bathurst.

“Effectively, I took his place in the Ice Break/Virgin Australia 911 GT3 R, which is rather cool as he’s a good mate and I’ve been following his moves ever since I started racing in GT3 Cup Challenge.

“Driving at Bathurst as a Porsche Junior is a huge opportunity for me. I’ll not only be in a top Porsche customer entry but also teaming with vastly experienced drivers in a potential outright race winner.

“Last year the same car was fuelled and on target to win outright before the red flag stopped the race, as its main rivals all still needed to pit. In 2017, it won the Pro-Am class and finished second outright, so it has always been up there.”

Q: What about you – are you ready for this new challenge?

Jaxon Evans: “This is my first race as a Porsche Junior and it’s on a circuit I know well, so I’m determined to do well.”

Q: Are you feeling under pressure to perform now?

Jaxon Evans: “Yes, I’m feeling pressure to justify the faith that has been put in me, but on the positive side, the car will be managed again by the same McElrea Racing team that was behind my Carrera Cup win and have two really experienced teammates – Porsche factory driver Kévin Estre and David Calvert-Jones.

“To share the car with Kévin is a great honour and an opportunity to learn from one of the world’s best GT drivers.”

Q: What happens after the Bathurst 12 Hour?

Jaxon Evans: “After Bathurst I head straight to Tenerife in the Canary Islands to take part in Porsche’s fitness camp for all its factory drivers. Then from late February I hope to be testing for my new Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup team before the first race of the season in May.”

Q: Do you expect to have trouble adjusting to living and racing in Europe?

Jaxon Evans: “Because of the calendar and the amount of testing between races, I plan to spend most of my time based in Stuttgart.

“I’ll be living with Matt Campbell, which will be a huge help as he knows the ropes now after two years there. We’ve been good friends for the past five years and we both share the same ambition to get to the top of the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.”

Q: Is Matt showing you the way up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid?

Jaxon Evans: “Being around two years younger, I feel I’ve always been following his wheel tracks and we have often joked about that. But now it’s really cool that we are both with Porsche.”

Q&A: Matt Campbell talks 2019, Porsche and the Bathurst 12 Hour

Porsche Young Professional on his rise up the Porsche ranks

Australia’s latest international racing sensation, Matt Campbell, has an intense racing schedule across the next two weeks, making his first appearance in the famed 24 Hours of Daytona this weekend (January 26-27) before returning to Australia to contest the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour the following weekend (February 3).

Though his schedule is gruelling, Campbell wouldn’t have it any other way. The 23-year-old Australian is living in Germany and travelling the world as a Porsche Young Professional, racing in numerous GT championships and some of motorsport’s most prestigious endurance events. And winning.

Campbell was a member of the Dempsey-Proton Racing team that claimed GTE-Am honours at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans and was also victorious in the following Barcelona 24 Hour race in a 911 GT3 R. Campbell also had his first taste of the Nurburgring 24 Hour event on the Nordschleife circuit and has three rounds remaining in the 2018/19 FIA World Endurance Championship.

The 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour will be the start of Campbell’s maiden Intercontinental GT Challenge campaign, named in Porsche’s two-car squad to take on the 2019 season. This career milestone comes just five years since the Queensland-raised racer entered the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid at its base Australian level – Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia. Upon winning the 2014 Class B title in that series, he raced in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia for two seasons, winning in his second attempt and also claiming success in the 2016 Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme Shootout, placing him on the grid for the 2017 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season as a Porsche Junior. Campbell finished third in that season and was promoted to a Porsche Young Professional and placed with Dempsey-Proton Racing in the 2018/19 FIA WEC along with select other endurance races.

Campbell’s promotion to the two-car factory-supported team at Bathurst represents his now-acknowledged rising status at Porsche, where he is regarded as of their rising stars.

Back in Australia catching up with family and friends, we caught up with Campbell to ask him about his strides up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid that nurtures driving talent from an amateur to professional level.

Matt Campbell Q&A

Q: What does it mean to be back at Bathurst this year in a front-line factory-backed Porsche?

Matt Campbell: “Driving a factory-supported Porsche in the full Intercontinental GT Challenge is another milestone step for me and I really want to make the most of the opportunity.

“We have a car with the potential of winning and the right team behind us – all we need this year is a little luck with the traffic and flags.”

Q: The two Porsches this time are being entered and managed by Earl Bamber Motorsport. Is that significant?

Matt Campbell: “Because of potential time and logistics issues with other series that Porsche is competing in, the Intercontinental GT Challenge entries are being managed by regional factory-approved teams, assisted by Porsche’s own Manthey-Racing engineers. At Bathurst, Earl Bamber effectively is stepping out of the driver’s seat to manage the team, so to have a World Endurance Champion, two-time Le Mans winner and experienced Bathurst 12 Hour competitor running things is a major plus for us.”

Q: Is moving into a factory Porsche for a full season a big step for you and your career?

Matt Campbell: “Getting a full season seat in the GT series is another important step up the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, but at this stage it is not about going faster but being consistently fast.

“When you become a Porsche Junior, you are already probably as quick over a lap as some of the top factory drivers, but that doesn’t make you a winning endurance sports car driver.

“The steps from there are designed to develop you as both a person and as a driver. You learn how to achieve and manage your peak physical and mental fitness; how to deal with pressure, the media and all the other things that often throw young drivers off course. Endurance racing is a core activity for Porsche, so developing drivers who are able to excel at it is a priority.

“That’s why fellow Porsche Young Professional Dennis Olsen from Norway and I are teamed with an experienced driver like German Dirk Werner, so we can learn from his experience.

“Dennis and I got on really well from when we competed against each other as Porsche Juniors in 2017 and we are also both good mates with Dirk. It’s a real team effort and our egos don’t get in the way”.

Q: How much have you now integrated into the Porsche Motorsport Department?

Matt Campbell: “It wasn’t mandatory, but from the moment I started as a Porsche Junior I chose to live close to the Porsche Motorsport headquarters at Weissach. On average I visit the Race Department one to three times a week. Sometimes it’s just for a 20-minute chat about future events but at other times 80 per cent is spent on the test track outside testing new things.

“Most of the time my track work is on competition cars – for example, I did quite a bit of testing on the new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport – but sometimes I get to test things like suspension set-ups or similar things on production Porsche models. I’ve been lucky to have done a lot of development work on a variety of models.”

Q: What are your ambitions at Porsche?

Matt Campbell: “I always saw myself driving car with a roof over my head, but now that the Porsche LMP1 programme has finished I’d certainly be keen to have a test in a Formula E car.

“However, for the moment, I see my future being at the top level of GT racing”.

Q: How many races are you contracted to drive in this year?

Matt Campbell: “At this stage it will be 16 or 17, but I might always get a late request to race in another events that are not currently on my programme. Being a Porsche Young Professional with a good racing CV puts you on every team’s international driver shopping list.”

Q: How different is it racing the RSR in events like Le Mans and the GT3 R in the GT series?

Matt Campbell: “The GT3 R and the RSR are very different cars to drive and being mid-engined, the RSR is very sensitive to set-up and you need to spend much longer on this.”

Q: Do you see yourself returning to Australia to race in the future?

Matt Campbell: “I have no plans to do that at present. You won’t even be going home to Warwick between the Daytona 24 Hour and Bathurst, which is the following weekend. With the time difference, there will be no opportunity.”

Q: Will having Jaxon Evans flat with you in Stuttgart help you both?

Matt Campbell: “I certainly hope I can make it easier for him. When I set off for Stuttgart in early 2016 all I had was a bag and a boarding pass. I couldn’t speak enough German to even order a beer and I had no idea where I was going to live.

“I’ll be able to help Jaxon get over all those little hurdles and he’s even got permission to drive my company Porsche that I became eligible for when I became a Young Professional.”

Q: Final question. Can you and your Porsche teammates win the 2019 Bathurst 12 Hour?

Matt Campbell: “I don’t see why not. We have been strong every other year and our ambitions are the same. This year in a factory-backed car, I’m in an even better position to go for an outright win.

“Having said that, a win at Bathurst in my home race in a factory-backed Porsche would be very special!”

Campbell to make Daytona debut aboard new 911 GT3 R

Former champion set for North American classic

Porsche Young Professional Matt Campbell is preparing the an almighty challenge – his first taste of the 24 Hours of Daytona on January 26-27 aboard Porsche’s brand new 911 GT3 R.

Australian Matt Campbell will race in the #73 Park Place Motorsports 911 GT3 R alongside American trio Patrick Long, Nicholas Boulle and Patrick Lindsey in the fight for GTD class honours. Three other customer teams will also be the first to race Porsche’s latest generation GT3 racer.

“I’m not really sure what to expect,”said Campbell.

“This is my first time contesting the Daytona classic. During the test I familiarised myself with the new car, with my Park Place Motorsports team and the racetrack, so I’m not expecting any difficulties. We want to do the best possible job. If we manage to do this, then let’s see what result comes out in the end.”

Meanwhile, Porsche will also field a pair of 911 RSR entries in the GTLM class in the hope to write another chapter in the success story at the season opener of this year’s IMSA SportsCar Championship.

About the race
The 24-hour race on the Daytona International Speedway is contested on a 5.73-kilometre-long combination of the tri-oval and a tight and twisty infield section. The storied event in Florida has been held every year since 1966. The endurance classic marks the start of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season and counts towards the North American Endurance Cup (NAEC).

The Porsche drivers
For the start of the 2019 motor racing year in North America, regular drivers Patrick Pilet (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) share the No. 911 car, and like last year will be supported by Frédéric Makowiecki (France). In 2018, the trio won the long-distance races at Sebring and Road Atlanta. Earl Bamber (New Zealand), Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) and Mathieu Jaminet from France share the cockpit of the No. 912 sister car campaigned by the Porsche GT Team. Works driver Patrick Long (USA) takes the wheel of the 911 GT3 R with the starting number 73 with his compatriots Nicholas Boulle and Patrick Lindsey as well as Porsche Young Professional Matt Campbell (Australia). In the identical No. 9 car sit Porsche development driver Lars Kern (Germany), Young Professional Dennis Olsen (Norway) and the two Canadians Scott Hargrove and Zacharie Robichon. The No. 99 Porsche 911 GT3 R is manned by works driver Sven Müller (Germany) and Klaus Bachler (Austria) as well as the Germans Steffen Görig, Alfred Renauer and Jürgen Häring. Sharing driving duties in the No. 540 vehicle are works driver Dirk Werner (Germany), Young Professional Matteo Cairoli (Italy), Marco Seefried (Germany) and Timothy Pappas from America.

Porsche’s Daytona successes
In the long history of the 24 Hours of Daytona spanning more than 50 years, no other manufacturer has enjoyed as much success as Porsche. 18 overall victories, four more as engine partner, and a record-setting 77 class wins remain unrivalled. Five outright victories in the years 1973, 1975, 1977, 1979 and 1991 and a class win in 1972 make US racing legend Hurley Haywood the most successful Porsche driver at Daytona.

The Porsche vehicles
For its third race season, the Porsche 911 RSR has undergone further optimisation primarily in the setup. Depending on the size of the restrictor, the engine, which is positioned in front of the rear axle, puts out around 375 kW (510 hp). The large rear diffuser combined with a top-mounted rear wing provides aerodynamic efficiency and significant downforce. The 911 GT3 R was newly developed for the 2019 season. Improvements in the areas of aerodynamics and kinematics were systematically implemented from the insights garnered from the many race outings of its predecessor. The six-cylinder engine in the rear of the GT3 customer racer produces over 368 kW (500 hp).

The schedule & live stream
The race gets underway on Saturday, 26 January, at 20:40 hrs CET (Sunday, 27 January at 06:40 hrs AEDT). The race can be watched live outside the USA and Canada at www.imsa.com.

Comments from Porsche
Fritz Enzinger (Head of Motorsport): “The season in North America always takes off with this great classic at Daytona. The race is a highlight that we definitely want to win this year with our superbly-engineered 911 RSR. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer at the 24-hour race in Florida. We sincerely hope that we can continue this success streak. The tests were promising. The entire team is well on track.”

Sebastian Golz (Project Manager 911 GT3 R): “We have high expectations. We’ve finished developing the new car, the first four customer teams tackle Daytona with the new 911 GT3 R. The pit crews and driver pairings are very good, so we can head into the race feeling optimistic. We all made good progress during the tests. If this trend continues, then I’m confident that we’ll ultimately see a strong result.”

Former champ confirms Porsche comeback

Steven Richards returns to Carrera Cup competition

Steven Richards is the latest high-profile confirmation for the 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship.

The 2014 Carrera Cup champion will contest the 2019 season with his own Steve Richards Motorsport operation and will announce his major backer in the coming weeks ahead of the Adelaide 500 season opener.

Richards, son of inaugural Carrera Cup Australia champion Jim Richards, returns to Porsche one-make competition following two seasons of GT racing, in which time he also claimed his fifth Bathurst 1000 victory. Prior to that, Richards was a Carrera Cup regular from 2011 through to 2016, competing in 132 races across 46 rounds.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Carrera Cup. The series has certainly stepped up another notch since I was involved, from the new cars to its popularity and the incredible investment of Porsche into the championship,” said Richards.

“I was attracted back to Carrera Cup for numerous reasons. The professionalism of the series is second-to-none and racing at high-profile Supercars Championship events and the Australian Grand Prix is great value for the brands I’ll represent in 2019. Also, importantly, the racing is first class with a great blend of young up-and-coming drivers and some really serious Pro-Am competitors.”

Richards is eager to be competitive from the season-opening Adelaide 500 with the aim of adding to his current three round wins, 13 race wins, 21 round podiums and one title victory.

“My hope is to be competitive and start the season where we finished off in 2016. The competition has certainly stepped up but we’ll head into Adelaide as prepared as possible with the aim of podium finishes.”

The 2019 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season commences in just six weeks for the series’ 13th visit to the Adelaide 500, to be held on February 28 to March 03, 2019.