Hedge: ‘Someone was looking after me’

Champion limped car home in title-deciding race

NEWLY-crowned Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Champion Callum Hedge has revealed just how close he came to losing the championship in Sunday’s final race at the VAILO Adelaide 500. 

A dramatic start to the deciding race of the year saw Hedge and the championship leader at the time, Jackson Walls, leap across the famous Senna chicane as they battled, nearly side-by-side.

On landing, Walls’ car tore a tyre from the left-rear wheel rim on his Objective Racing Porsche, causing him to spin across the circuit and out of the race, ending his title hopes.

Hedge’s car landed heavily however was able to continue, the young New Zealander ceding several spots before finishing seventh and ultimately taking the championship in the final race of the year.

However, Hedge has since confirmed that his cautious Sunday drive was not just down to being conservative – his Earl Bamber Motorsport / Team Porsche New Zealand entry having suffered quite serious damage during the opening corner aerobatics.

“I took one look at the wishbone after Alex (Wilkinson, #1 Mechanic on Hedge’s car) took the left rear off and I’m surprised it didn’t snap,” Hedge explained.

“There was a lot of damage and the car wasn’t feeling good so I made sure I got it home safely.

“Someone was looking down on me today and I was just grateful to make it to the end.”

Hedge was formally crowned champion at the annual Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia awards night held Sunday evening in Adelaide.

Hedge’s remarkable season saw him crowned champion and Equity-One Professional Class winner, TAG Heuer Pro Pole Award winner, Enduro Cup winner and the Michelin Junior champion for 2023.

“I want to thank Porsche for an amazing championship, I’ve really enjoyed my last two years here. They’ve been two of the best years of my life,” he said.

“Thank you to my team for all the hard work and a thanks to Jackson. We’ve come a long way since the Grand Prix last year where we smacked into each other at every opportunity we could! It’s pretty cool to be racing you and it’s been awesome to be racing you all year.

“I do need to make special mention to Bruce (Jenkins), his help since Townsville last year has been a turning point where I stopped crashing the car, stopped wrecking gear and gained a bit of maturity. I can’t thank all the people that made this possible enough.”

Jackson Walls was celebrated as runner-up, while Dale Wood claimed third overall having jumped Dylan O’Keeffe for a spot on the podium in the final race of the year.

Earl Bamber Motorsport’s remarkable year was added by teammate Adrian Flack claiming the SP Tools Pro-Am class and the Enduro Cup as well.

Flack’s title also came down to the final race of the year, though circumstances were only slightly less dramatic than his younger teammate.

His remarkable season included five round wins – the third most of all time in the Pro-Am class – and five pole positions.

“What a year! I guess when we finished the race I would have taken it in a bit more but I was in shock to be honest,” Flack said.

“It’s been a long hard year. I remember talking to Sam (Shahin) last year talking about my plans for this year and how badly I wanted it and was preparing for it already. I think he went away and did the same because he didn’t make it easy for me!

“The competition this year, especially from Sam and Dean, has just been brutal – you couldn’t let your guard down for 10 seconds.

“Lana (Flack’s eldest go-kart racing daughter) got second in her championship and basically told me ‘Show me how to win one, Dad!’, and that was my motivation this weekend! She’s going to have to listen to me now!”

Dean Cook was awarded second in SP Tools Pro-Am, while Sam Shahin claimed third.

Earl Bamber Motorsport won the team’s award – and the use of a brand-new Porsche Cayenne for the 2023 season – while Hedge’s mechanic Alex Wilkinson was awarded SP Tools Mechanic of the year.

The annual Carrera Cup awards were held in front of nearly 200 guests in Adelaide and included Porsche Cars Australia CEO and Managing Director, Daniel Schmollinger, two-time Le Mans 24 Hour winner Earl Bamber and current Porsche Penske Motorsport factory pilot Matt Campbell among the guest list.

Wood sweeps Adelaide as Callum Hedge claims last-gasp title

Dramatic conclusion to Carrera Cup season delivers four times the success to Earl Bamber Motorsport

DALE WOOD swept the weekend at the VAILO Adelaide 500 as Callum Hedge became Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia champion in dramatic fashion in the final race of the year. 

It was a day of double delight for the Earl Bamber Motorsport team as Adrian Flack also sealed the SP Tools Pro-Am title in the final race of the year, adding to Hedge’s win in Equity-One Pro.

The team also recently claimed the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia Series with Kiwi driver Marco Giltrap.

The Carrera Cup title was decided in the first 500 meters of the race as both Hedge and his main rival, title leader Jackson Walls, took to the kerbs at the Senna Chicane as they negotiated the first-turn chaos.

After a huge moment Hedge was able to drive out the other side, while Walls’ car landed roughly, spun and tore the left-rear Michelin from the rim.

From there he made contact with the fence and retired on the spot, enduring Hedge only needed to finish to wrestle the title lead away in the final race of the season.

Caught up in the turn one-two drama, Ryder Quinn’s strong weekend was ended as he and Alex Davison took evasive action from the spinning Porsche.

Wood had led the opening corner rush and also led the field behind the Safety Car, making the best restart and leading the field back to green.

Hedge, meanwhile, took the conservative option and backed out of a furious battle for second position, electing to drop behind the leading queue and race in clean air to ensure minimum risk in the remaining laps.

While Wood gradually pulled away in front, the battle for second was intense as Max Vidau fended off Dylan O’Keeffe’s Dexion Porsche.

O’Keeffe needed to beat Wood in the race to claim third in the championship, however was unable to chase down the runaway leader.

Ultimately, Wood won the race to claim the weekend overall – the fifth of his Carrera Cup career.

The Ranbuild-backed driver became the only repeat winner of the 2023 season having won the second round of the season – in Darwin – in June this year.

He also sealed third in the championship in the final race of the season.

O’Keeffe and Vidau completed the top three in the race, while Wood’s round win saw him stand on the top step of the podium with Hedge – second – and Vidau joining him.

Needing only to finish the race to claim the SP Tools Pro-Am championship, Adrian Flack was another to take a conservative pathway to victory today, ultimately finishing fourth in the race to claim the title.

The race win went to a fired-up Sam Shahin, who after a challenging weekend was able to celebrate in front of his Adelaide faithful on Sunday.

He led home Dean Cook and Danny Stutterd in the Sunday race, while Flack claimed the round overall over Shahin and Cook.

Flack’s title was his first after five years of his Carrera Cup career, while Dean Cook finished second in the title race and Sam Shahin third.

Meanwhile, Callum Hedge became Carrera Cup champion on the twentieth anniversary of perhaps the greatest ever claiming the first Carrera Cup Australia championship – Jim Richards’ 2003 title win.

The 20 year old from Auckland has recently returned from contesting the Porsche junior Shootout in Europe – with the potential of a Porsche Supercup drive if successful – and will race in the Indy NXT Championship next year.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship field will celebrate the remarkable season at the annual awards Gala tonight in Adelaide.

SP TOOLS PRO-AM STANDINGS:

EQUITY-ONE PROFESSIONAL CLASS CHAMPIONS

Two points split title contenders ahead of season finale

Winner-take-all Sunday finale' in store on the streets of Adelaide

TWO points separate Jackson Walls and Callum Hedge heading into the final race of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia in Adelaide. 

The championship and Equity-One Pro class will now be decided based on who finishes higher in Sunday’s 11-lap season finale setting up a literal winner-take-all showdown between the pair of talented Michelin Juniors.

The SP Tools Pro-Am class will also be decided on Sunday however a win for Adrian Flack today makes his final day a much simpler equation, provisionally sitting 42 points clear of Dean Cook in the title race with one to go.

Dale Wood continued his imperious Adelaide form, claiming today’s shortened race following a brilliant start and a healthy lap one lead.

Though the chasing back came back to the Ranbuild Porsche driver, he managed his position and then survived a late race restart and a one-lap dash to the line to claim his fifth win of the season.

Hedge finished second however it was a key pass by Max Vidau that has delivered this weekend’s title showdown between he and Walls.

Vidau sliced his way past Walls on the opening lap of the race, relegating the title leader to fourth place in a decisive move.

Walls was fourth and Alex Davison fifth, with Ryder Quinn continuing his career-best weekend in sixth position.

Fabian Coulthard, Dylan O’Keeffe, Angelo Mouzouris and Bayley Hall completed the top-10.

The race finished two laps early following an accident from Matt Belford at the notorious Turn eight on the fifth lap.

Belford’s ID Group car appeared to touch the inside kerb, which caused him to oversteer into the outside barrier with the resulting impact causing his left rear to depart.

He then spun across the circuit before making relatively light contact with the inside fence, the Victorian emerging unscathed.

That set up the one-lap dash to the line that saw Wood claim the victory and the title battle take another dramatic turn.

Behind that the pulsating Pro-Am battle saw Shahin jump to an early lead, topping Flack and Cook for the opening two laps.

He then dropped behind the pair to finish third, while Flack led home what has now become his main title rival to claim the race win.

Tim Miles recovered to fourth in the Pro-Am class despite contact at turn one that saw him spinning down to the back of the field.

All results remain provisional following several post-race investigations currently underway by Motorsport Australia officials.

The final race of the 2023 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will be held on Sunday at the VAILO Adelaide 500 and will be shown live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo and the Seven Network around Australia.

Wood wins Enduro Cup thriller in Adelaide as title battle builds

23-lap thriller decides Endurance titles, closes up championship fight

DALE WOOD has withstood 23-laps of searing pressure to win the opening race in Round 8 of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship today at the VAILO Adelaide 500. 

The Victorian started his Ranbuild / EBM Porsche from the outside of the front row of the grid and beat teammate and title contender Callum Hedge into the Senna Chicane – only to then spend the first half of the race defending from the quick young Kiwi.

Wood withered multiple attacks from Hedge before Vidau was the next to have a crack within the final stanza of the race – yet Wood was able to withstand that too. It was his fourth win of the year, sixteenth of his career and first since he took a clean sweep of the Darwin round in June.

Wood led home Callum Hedge, who took points out of championship leader Jackson Walls in both qualifying and today’s 23-lap race.

Trailing by 21 points entering the round, Hedge now needs to find 14 points across the final two races should he wish to win the title.

Walls’ day was a story of recovery after only qualifying his Objective Racing entry in 8th position.

His race, however, was much more fruitful as he took advantage of several incidents in front before making several key overtakes to climb his way to third place at the finish, minimising his points loss.

It was a fighting drive from the Sydneysider who will now start directly behind his closest rival in tomorrow’s sprint.

Alex Davison came through to finish fourth in his Scott Taylor Motorsport entry while Ryder Quinn was fifth aboard the Game Over entry in his best ever Carrera Cup race.

Max Vidau finished sixth, however ran as high as second in another storming drive from the South Australian.

The Tyrepower TekworkX Motorsport driver raced his way to second position in the early stages and was challenging for the lead at turn nine when he spun after riding the inside kerb – spinning through a full 360 degrees before recovering into the fight.

Others with promising if challenging races included Bayley Hall, who ran at the front, copped a 15-second penalty for turning Fabian Coulthard around.

Coulthard was spun while challenging inside the top five, while Hall’s race unravelled further when he was hit from behind by Dylan O’Keeffe – his endurance cup hopes disappearing when he copped a 15-second time penalty before ultimately finishing 9th.

A fired-up Hall recovered to 11th, re-setting the Carrera Cup lap record in the process.

The SP Tools Pro-Am battle was similarly combative, with the result coming down to the final lap when Dean Cook and Sam Shahin clashed while battling for the lead – the result currently under investigation.

Adrian Flack came through that drama to finish second to consolidate his championship lead.

With two races remining, Jackson Walls now provisionally leads the championship and Equity-One Pro class by 14 points, with 120 up for grabs across the final two races.

In SP Tools Pro-Am Flack provisionally leads Dean Cook by just 18 points.

The Endurance Cup titles went the way of Callum Hedge (Equity One Pro) and Adrian Flack (SP Tools Pro-Am) in a double title success for Earl Bamber Motorsport.

Shortened practice offers few clues for weekend

Rain adds to Adelaide challenge in sole Thursday practice session

A RED FLAGGED and wet-weather opening practice session has offered little in the way of a form guide as the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia returned to the VAILO Adelaide 500. 

South Aussie hope Max Vidau topped the abbreviated session which was held in pouring wet conditions.

His 1m35.2686s lap was some 15 seconds behind the Carrera Cup lap record on the Adelaide Parklands circuit, showing how challenging the conditions were.

Drivers completed no more than four laps in the session prior to a red flag flying for Simon Fallon, who found the wall at Turn 8 aboard his Bob Jane T-Marts Sonic Motor Racing entry.

Fallon was uninjured, with the team currently assessing the damage to his car post accident.

Callum Hedge ended the session second outright – 0.09 behind Vidau – with Ryder Quinn and Bayley Hall next.

Dean Cook led the way in the SP Tools Pro-Am, with fellow title rivals Sam Shahin and Adrian Flack next in the order.

The lone practice session was the only on-track activity for the championship in Adelaide on Thursday, though Friday will be a bumper day on track.

Action starts early with a second practice session at 8:05am, followed by Qualifying at 10:35 – with separate sessions for Equity One Pro and SP Tools Pro-Am to set the grid.

The Endurance Cup finale will then be decided with the race commencing at 3:25pm local time.

All three sessions will be shown live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo Sport.

The two races on Saturday and Sunday will also be shown live on the Seven Network around Australia.

All titles on the line as massive Carrera Cup finale set for Adelaide

Pro, Pro-Am and Endurance Cup titles all to be decided in huge Porsche showdown

CHAMPIONSHIP and Endurance Cup titles in both classes will be on the line when the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia heads to the VAILO Adelaide 500 this weekend for an epic season finale. 

The championship in Equity-One Pro Outright and Endurance, plus the SP Tools Pro-Am overall and endurance titles will be decided across three races this weekend with all results still on the table.

It’s set to be a thrilling conclusion to one of the most broadly competitive Carrera Cup championships yet held in Australia, with seven winners from seven rounds to date.

In the outright battle, Jackson Walls leads Callum Hedge by just 21 points, with a possible 181 up for grabs this weekend.

Dylan O’Keeffe remains in mathematical chance for the championship in third, 167 points from the lead – however is a better shot at claiming the Enduro Cup prize for the year with a strong result in Friday afternoon’s longer race.

There, he leads Hedge by 17 points with Walls a further five points further back in third position.

In the SP Tools Pro-Am class a dramatic Surfers Paradise round has given Adrian Flack a handy, but by no means insurmountable lead, in the championship heading to Adelaide.

He leads Dean Cook by just 23 points, with Sam Shahin a further 28 in arrears in third position heading to his home race.

The three drivers are separated by the equivalent of less than a second-placed race finish this weekend, adding to the pressure.

The SP Tools Pro-Am Endurance Cup is no less settled, with just 13 points separating Adrian Flack from second-placed Dean Cook, with Shahin also in contention.

All results will be on the table this weekend at the traditionally unpredictable Adelaide Parklands circuit, with the Carrera Cup Championship returning for the first time since 2020.

The championship will look to set an all-time record to conclude it’s 20th year following seven different winners from seven rounds so far – the championship never having seen eight from eight in a single season.

Drivers with strong Adelaide experience yet to claim a round win this year include Fabian Coulthard (BTW Porsche Centre Melbourne), Nick McBride (Hallmarc Team MPC) and local hope Max Vidau (Tyrepower TekworkX), while Christian Pancione (Supercheap Auto) and Angelo Mouzouris and teammate Simon Fallon (Bob Jane T-Marts Sonic Motor Racing) are others looking for a breakthrough round win this year.

This weekend marks the first time that the Type-992 Generation Porsche GT3 Cup Car will have competed on the Adelaide streets.

As such, the existing qualifying (1m21.9019s – Dale Wood) and race (1m21.2003s – Cooper Murray) lap records are expected to be toppled this weekend.

The Carrera Cup field hits the track for a single practice session on Thursday prior to a busy Friday at the VAILO Adelaide 500.

There, they will practice, qualify and stage the Enduro Cup race that will decide that element of the championship battle. Sprint races on Saturday and Sunday then decide the Championship.

All sessions from Friday will be broadcast live on Fox Sports and Kayo, while Saturday and Sunday’s races will also be broadcast on the Seven Network around Australia.

ENTRY LIST – Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship, Round 8. 

Vidau Signals End of Carrera Cup Journey

South Aussie's journey to end where it started this weekend in Adelaide

Max Vidau and Danny Stutterd are set for the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship finale this weekend at the Adelaide Street Circuit with TekworkX Motorsport.

South Australian Vidau will line up for the fourth street circuit of the season, where he and TekworkX have been particularly strong in 2023. The Tyrepower backed driver has won three races so far this year, with victory at the Australian Grand Prix followed by a pair of wins at the Reid Park Street Circuit in Townsville.

Vidau’s first ever Carrera Cup race was at the Adelaide 500 in 2020, where the hometown hero was an impressive fifth on debut.

“I was lucky enough to start my Carrera Cup journey on the streets of Adelaide, I’m excited to end my journey there. Ready for more exciting things next year,” said Vidau.

“A home race to end the year is cool, with friends and family around it should be a good time. Adelaide’s my favourite street circuit, it has a perfect balance between a traditional race track while maintaining the street circuit characteristics.

“The car has had a rebuild since the Gold Coast, so we’ll ensure the car is in the window in practice one and then press on in to the weekend. It requires a similar setup to Townsville, both tracks have a fast section while retaining the need to stop and rotate quickly across the bumps.

“The Adelaide 500 always has a great atmosphere, I’m keen to get stuck in and enjoy the weekend,” concluded Vidau.

Stutterd returns to the category after missing the previous round on the Gold Coast. The 2018 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge champion enjoyed a strong outing in that category’s final round recently, taking out the round victory around Mount Panorama.

The Pro-Am front runner will be able to draw on prior experience around the Adelaide Street Circuit, highlighted by starts in the Australian GT Championship.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship wraps up the season at the VAILO Adelaide 500 from November 23-26.

Hall gets the TAG Heuer boost for Adelaide

TAG Heuer livery for Bayley Hall in Adelaide

THE PORSCHE Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia’s newest round winner has got himself a brand-new livery. 

McElrea Racing’s Bayley Hall will sport the colours of long-time Porsche Motorsport Australia partner TAG Heuer this weekend at the VAILO Adelaide 500, which doubles as the final round of Australia’s top one-make championship.

Hall powered to a pair of race wins and the overall victory in the most recent round of the championship on the streets of Surfers Paradise, his first in Porsche competition and the seventh different winner from as many rounds to date this year.

His stunning recent form has been recognised with the addition of the iconic brand to his program this weekend, with his 992 GT3 Cup Car resplendent in a stunning black and red livery that showcases the well known TAG Heuer brand.

Hall has climbed to fifth in the championship and sits well within striking distance of a top three finish in what is just his second full year of Porsche competition. The young Queenslander has also climbed to third in the Michelin Junior points standings with a round to go.

TAG Heuer are a major partner of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship with their support including backing the prestigious TAG Heuer Pole Award at each round.

Hall will be on track for practice this Thursday at the VAILO Adelaide 500, ahead of qualifying and racing commencing on Friday.

BAYLEY HALL – TAG Heuer Porsche 992 GT3 Cup Car

“I am honoured to show off a brand-new look this weekend with long-time Porsche Motorsport Australia partner, TAG Heuer, on my car at the Adelaide 500.

“It’s the final weekend of the year and time to give it everything I’ve got. To have this brand on my car is incredible and I am hungry to represent them successfully.

“The win on the streets of the Gold Coast was one I will never forget. For me, it was a great benchmark to know I am on the right track in my career, and now it’s a case of keeping my eyes forward and working hard to make those weekends a normality.

“Like many juniors this weekend, it will be my first taste of the Adelaide street circuit and I can’t wait to hit the track. I have many reasons to be thrilled about this upcoming weekend, but I am very keen to see the new Tag Heuer livery out on track and around the paddock.’

“Tag Heuer is a major prestige international brand that has been working closely with Porsche motorsport since 1963. It is an exciting time in my career, and I’m honoured to represent this iconic brand and respect the work they do in our Carrera Cup Championship as category sponsors.

“Tag Heuer’s presence in the motorsport industry around the world is immense, and to see the work they have put into the new Porsche x Tag Heuer Carrera ChronoSprint is amazing.”

;

Matt Campbell confirmed for GT World Challenge finale in Adelaide

Carrera Cup champion returns Down Under in bid for Porsche title

EMA Motorsport will travel to the final round of Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS with a revised line-up at the wheel of the #1 Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Reigning champion Yasser Shahin will be joined for the VAILO Adelaide 500 weekend by Porsche works driver, Matt Campbell.

Queensland-born Matt joins the team for the sixth and final round of the season, as Yasser and EMA Motorsport hold an outside chance to clinch the title.

Just 22 points off the lead, Yasser currently sits third in the championship. The announcement means that Matt will sign off the season with the team, and the car, that he started out with this year.

The 28-year-old helped fight to a podium finish with the #911 of Manthey EMA at the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hours, having debuted with the team during 2022 at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa.

Yasser holds third in the title race, having claimed three wins and three further victories so far this season, alongside Garnet Patterson. Matt joins for the final push for the series, holding significant local knowledge of the Adelaide circuit, having raced there extensively in his early career.

He has gone on to score significant results across the world at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R, including outright victory at Bathurst in 2019 and the IMSA GTD Pro championship title last year.

This year has seen Matt play a key part of the Porsche 963 in the GTP programme with Penske Motorsport, standing on the podium four times, including a race win, in the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship.

Matt Campbell, Porsche 911 GT3 R #1:

“It’s been a busy season, and great to racing in Australia to sign off the year, back with EMA Motorsport.

“The team has had a great year, and I’m looking forward to helping with the final fight for the GT World challenge Australia title push. We started things off back in February with the podium at Bathurst, and looking forward to being back with the team, in the GT3 R, around Adelaide. It’s one of my favourite tracks from growing up, and is a special place to be heading back to.”

Yasser Shahin, Porsche 911 GT3 R #1:

“I’m really looking forward to driving with Matt. His rise within Porsche is the stuff of legend in Australia, and we expect to be right up there for the 500.”

New Zealand to feature on 2024 Carrera Cup Calendar

Taupo to become second international venue to host Carrera Cup

THE PORSCHE Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will race in New Zealand for the first time in 2024.

Embracing a huge groundswell of Kiwi interest in the series, Australia’s top one-make category will follow the Repco Supercars Championship across the Tasman in 2024 and join the ITM Taupo Super400 program on 19-21 April next year.

It will be just the second time that the championship will have competed outside of Australia.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia has remarkable New Zealand heritage dating back to the inaugural champion, Porsche Motorsport Australia hall of famer, Jim Richards.

Eight Carrera Cup Australia titles have been won by New Zealand drivers; Richards’ 2003 success followed by Fabian Coulthard’s in 2005.

Five-time champion Craig Baird is the most successful driver in Carrera Cup history, claiming titles in 2006, 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Jaxon Evans won the crown in 2018 and is the most recent Kiwi title winner, however young star Callum Hedge is in contention to claim the 2024 title at the upcoming season’ finale at the VAILO Adelaide 500.

10 different New Zealanders have won 152 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia races since the series’ formation in 2003.

Multiple championship-winning team McElrea Racing is owned by noted New Zealand racer and team owner, Andy McElrea, while Earl Bamber Motorsport competes under the Team Porsche New Zealand banner.

The EBM squad just claimed the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge championship, with young stars Marco Giltrap and Zac Stichbury already announced to step into Carrera Cup next year.

The Taupo Circuit will be the 18^th to host a round of the championship and only the second outside of Australia, following the visit to the Sepang Circuit in Malaysia in 2017.

New Zealand will be the second stop on the full 2024 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship calendar, with the full schedule to be released in due course.

Barry Hay – Motorsport Manager, Porsche Cars Australia

“Returning to an overseas venue has been on the agenda for the championship for some time, but it needed to be the right venue, the right time and the right place. This ticks all of those boxes and so much more and we’re proud to be taking one-make Porsche racing back to New Zealand in 2024.

“Following the Supercars to Taupo for the first ITM Taupo Super400 event made all the sense in the world, and we have worked closely with the Repco Supercars Championship, Porsche Motorsport New Zealand and our teams and competitors to make the trip achievable.

“Carrera Cup has such incredible Kiwi heritage and DNA and while we are Carrera Cup Australia, we are fiercely proud to represent New Zealand as well – as witnessed with the teams and drivers who come from across the Tasman to race with us.

“It’s going to be an incredible trip for our teams and drivers and a great experience to take the show on the road to another country.

“The Kiwi fans will have plenty of local to cheer for in our field next year and I am sure they are all relishing the chance to watch another Kiwi sporting star beat up on the Aussies in New Zealand!”

Hall makes it seven from seven with Gold Coast win

Flack rockets to Pro-Am Championship lead as all roads lead to Adelaide

HOME TOWN hero Bayley Hall has become the seventh different winner from seven Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia rounds in 2023, adding his name to the ever-expanding winners list with an emphatic performance on the streets of Surfers Paradise. 

The 20-year-old from the Gold Coast swept to both race wins in a dramatic day of racing to claim both his maiden race and round victories in Carrera Cup.

Seven winners in seven consecutive rounds equalled an all-time Carrera Cup record, while Hall also became the eighth different race winner of the season so far.

Hall led Dylan O’Keeffe and teammate Jackson Walls home in the overall and Equity-One Pro class honours, as the latter also climbed back into the championship lead heading into the Adelaide finale.

Walls now leads Hedge by 21 points with Dylan O’Keeffe remaining in mathematical calculation for the title in third, 167 from the lead.

Meanwhile, a clutch victory for Adrian Flack saw him claim the final race, the Gold Coast round and also the championship lead in the combative SP Tools Pro-Am Class.

Flack won the round ahead of Dean Cook and Sam Shahin, with the title a firm three-way fight going into the finale.

Flack leads Shahin by just 15 points with Cook a further eight further back in third.

The final round of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will be held on the streets of Adelaide at the VAILO Adelaide 500 on November 23-26.

RACE 2

BAYLEY HALL claimed his maiden Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia race victory in a wildly dramatic enduro cup race on the streets of Surfers Paradise. 

Hall took advantage of a battle for the lead between Callum Hedge and Dylan O’Keeffe to claim the victory after the former was penalised five seconds for running through the turn one-two-three chicane, and after passing the latter.

O’Keeffe had got down the inside of Hedge at Turn one, the Kiwi short-cutting the chicane in the process.

He resumed in front, while Hall passed O’Keeffe for second. Hedge crossed the line first, however was relegated down the order with the penalty at the end of the race, handing the lead and the victory to Hall.

Hedge’s penalty dropped him to 11th position while Jackson Walls was classified second and O’Keeffe third.

In Pro-Am, Sam Shahin failed to finish following a spin at turn eleven.

As he recovered, he was hit by Rodney Jane while Matt Belford spun in avoidance and was subsequently hit in the door by Tim Miles.

Shahin went to pit lane and was waiting to resume before the race was red flagged by an even more significant impact a few laps later.

The enduro race was cut short due to a massive crash at turn eleven that started when Alex Davison and David Wall made contact.

That spun Wall into the tyres, his car collected by Davison and Simon Fallon. Simon Fallon was also claimed, as was Harri Jones – who in turn was hit from behind by Liam Talbot.

There was a heated exchange between Wall and Davison, the pair having to be separated by Jones.

RACE 3

BAYLEY Hall converted pole to a second race win with a comprehensive and professional performance in a Sunday afternoon sprint race on the Gold Coast. 

Starting from pole, the McElrea Racing driver led all the way under pressure from teammate Jackson Walls to claim the win, with Fabian Coulthard third and on the race podium for the first time since his title-winning 2005 season.

Race three was a clean affair with a freight train of cars in the leading battle.

Dale Wood was making solid ground through the field however was a victim of the turn one-two-three chicane, spinning his Ranbuild Porsche and narrowly avoiding heavy contact with the wall.

That left O’Keeffe fourth and Christian Pancione fifth.

Callum Hedge finished sixth to recover championship points following his earlier kerb-cutting penalty in race two.

Alex Davison, Ryder Quinn, Luke Youlden and Ange Mouzouris completed the top-10.

In SP Tools Pro-Am Adrian Flack resisted pressure from Cook and Shahin for much of the race, the three locked together for all 16 laps with flack ultimately getting the victory.

Hall claims maiden win in dramatic Carrera Cup enduro

Maiden win for McElrea driver in dramatic Sunday session

BAYLEY HALL has claimed his maiden Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia race victory in a wildly dramatic enduro cup race on the streets of Surfers Paradise. 

Hall took advantage of a battle for the lead between Callum Hedge and Dylan O’Keeffe to claim the victory after the former was penalised five seconds for running through the turn one-two-three chicane, and after passing the latter.

O’Keeffe had got down the inside of Hedge at Turn one, the Kiwi short-cutting the chicane in the process.

He resumed in front, while Hall passed O’Keeffe for second. Hedge crossed the line first, however was relegated down the order with the penalty at the end of the race, handing the lead and the victory to Hall.

The Queensland teenager becomes the eighth different winner of the dramatic season in a race that has thrown the title battle wide open.

Hedge’s penalty dropped him to 11th position while Jackson Walls was classified second and O’Keeffe third.

Provisionally, Walls now assumes the championship lead for the first time since June with a single point his advantage over Hedge.

Pro-Am is similarly dramatic with Sam Shahin failing to finish and now holding just a three-point lead over Adrian Flack heading into race three.

Shahin had a spin at turn eleven and as he recovered was hit by Rodney Jane. Matt Belford spun in avoidance and he was hit in the door by Tim Miles.

Shahin went to pit lane and was waiting to resume before the race was red flagged by an even more significant impact a few laps later.

The enduro race was cut short due to a massive crash at turn eleven that started when Alex Davison and David Wall made contact.

That spun Wall into the tyres, his car collected by Davison and Simon Fallon. Simon Fallon was also claimed, as was Harri Jones – who in turn was hit from behind by Liam Talbot.

There was a heated exchange between Wall and Davison, the pair having to be separated by Jones.

All drivers were checked by medical and released, while Talbot was taken for precautionary scans for a sore neck.

Results remain provisional pending further enquiries from race officials.

Hedge builds margin in interrupted Surfers opener

Liam Talbot continues Pro-Am form to claim race one victory

CALLUM HEDGE has extended his Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia title lead following an interrupted opening sprint race on the Streets of Surfers Paradise. 

The young Kiwi started from pole and led the field into turn one before surviving two Safety Cars and ultimately claiming his fifth race win of the season in the Equity One Pro class.

In SP Tools Pro-Am, Liam Talbot jumped polesitter Adrian Flack at the start to claim his third successive race win in the race within a race.

Race one was punctuated by several Safety Cars as the busy Surfers streets were their usual brutal best.

Hedge made the best start from pole, however second-placed Luke Youlden was slower away, gobbled up by a fast-starting Dylan O’Keeffe who rocketed from fourth to second by the time the field slowed for turn one.

The first pause in racing came after Pro-Am runner Matt Belford spun and made light contact with the barriers at the exit of the Beach Chicane on the second lap of the race.

That followed an unfortunate incident at turn two that saw Harri Jones, Angelo Mouzouris and Thomas Maxwell three wide, the contact ultimately ending the race for all three.

Following the restart, Hedge led the field back to green with O’Keeffe and Wall following the Team Porsche NZ entry.

Fabian Coulthard and Dale Wood then made contact at turn four, the resulting contact dragging in an unfortunate Max Vidau’s TekworkX entry.

The South Aussie ace was tipped across the circuit and into the barriers, while Alex Davison also copped damage while taking evasive action.

That forced all three out of proceedings and deployed the Safety Car once again.

Ultimately the field finished under yellow, Hedge leading O’Keeffe and Wall to the line.

Provisionally, it builds his six-point series lead to 35 heading into tomorrow’s pair of races.

The result was also significant for Wall: the third-placed result the best finish for the former champion since Townsville earlier this year.

Youlden finished fourth with Bayley Hall fifth and Jackson Walls sixth.

The latter moved up one spot from his qualifying position following a full-send move at turn eleven on the opening lap, slicing down the inside of the left hander to gain the position prior to the Safety Car deployment.

Alex Davison limped his car home in seventh, ahead of Christian Pancione, Nick McBride and Courtney Prince.

The BWT / Porsche Centre Melbourne driver scored her first top-10 finish of the season in today’s race.

SP Tools Pro-Am saw Talbot win from Flack, with Shahin third – moving up one spot from his qualifying position.

As opposed to the outright fight, it further closed the margin in the Pro-Am title race heading into tomorrow’s two races.

Sunday will see a pair of races complete round 7 of the championship with the Enduro Cup race starting at 8:30am local time.

The final sprint will then commence at 12:55pm, with both races live on Fox Sports and Kayo, and the latter race also live on the Seven Network around Australia.

Unpredictable day sets up unpredictable weekend on the Coast

Dry in practice one, rain in practice two in Surfers Paradise

THE PORSCHE Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia form guide is as clear as the Gold Coast sky following two unpredictable and weather-affected practice sessions today at the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.

Two 25-minute sessions were held today with the first dry and the second wet – leaving the real competitive order less than certain heading into qualifying on Saturday morning.

Practice 1 was run in overcast and blustery conditions though the threat of rain diminished as the session unfolded.

Dale Wood ended quickest in his Ranbuild / EBM entry, just 0.04 seconds quicker than championship leader Callum Hedge and 0.05 seconds quicker than Alex Davison, who was third.

Dylan O’Keeffe and Luke Youlden completed the top five, with Harri Jones, Christian Pancione, Bayley Hall and Simon Fallon completing the top-10.

Jones was the big story of the session however as his #12 car caught the kerb and then the tyres on the exit of the beach chicane on his seventh lap.

The impact saw his car stranded and red-flagged the session while the recovery was completed.

Jones was OK and the car will be repaired and returned to the circuit for Qualifying on Saturday.

In SP Tools Pro-Am Adrian Flack was quickest and an outstanding 13^th outright, with Liam Talbot, Dean Cook, Matt Belford and Sam Shahin the top five.

A large front swept across the circuit moments before the second practice session, turning the circuit from dry to soaked in seconds.

The field fitted Michelin wets for the session which was remarkably completed without any stoppages.

A drying circuit saw times begin to tumble as the session unfolded with Callum Hedge’s late flyer putting the championship leader on top.

Simon Fallon was a strong second in his Bob Jane T-Marts Sonic entry with Fabian Coulthard putting all his experience to good use in third aboard his BWT / Porsche Centre Melbourne entry.

Angelo Mouzouris was a strong fourth in the sister Sonic entry with Max Vidau fifth.

Ryder Quinn was a stout sixth ahead of Thomas Maxwell, Pancione, Nick McBride and title contender Jackson Walls in tenth.

Sam Shahin led the Pro-Am runners in 12^th overall in front of Rodney Jane and Adrian Flack.

Only a few minor spins punctuated an otherwise clean session, with no stoppages.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship will qualify on Saturday morning (9:45am local time) at the Gold Coast 500 before the first race at 2:25pm local time.

Both sessions will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506 and Kayo, with the race also live on Channel 7.

Jones confirms full-time 2024 return, launches own team

Jones Motorsport to contest full 2024 Carrera Cup Championship, with Harri leading the charge

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup driver and reigning Carrera Cup Australia Champion, Harri Jones, will return to Australia fulltime in 2024 with ambitions to forge his new team, Jones Motorsport, into one of the greats of Porsche Motorsport Australia.

The 24-year-old Queenslander will be back in familiar territory next year to compete in his fourth season of Australia’s top one-make category. However, this time his pursuits on track will coexist alongside his commitments as a Team Manager and Coach.

Jones Motorsport will enter the full 2024 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship and will also look to expand into Michelin Sprint Challenge as well.

Jones said that options were in front of him to remain in Europe for 2024, but the opportunity to return to Australia and expand Jones Motorsport alongside competing was too strong.

“I have a massive passion for motorsport and that goes beyond just driving the car,” said Jones. “I see some exciting opportunities to innovate and develop a team that can help drivers in all aspects of their career.”

“Personally, I feel I can bring something quite unique to the team. I of course have a background as a driver, having won multiple championship on the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, but I also have years of experience as a driver coach and engineer, and have learned a lot from my time over in Europe this year.”

Jones has had a successful season competing at the top level of Porsche one-make racing worldwide. Driving under the banners of BWT Lechner Racing – the most successful Porsche Supercup Team in history – and Scherer Sport PHX, Jones raced alongside Formula 1, WEC and DTM at some of the largest Motorsport events of 2023.

“I have had a great year, it’s honestly been better than I could’ve ever imagined,” said Jones.

“Racing at Monaco and Spa was for sure a highlight, but it was in the final round of Supercup at Monza where I felt like things just clicked. I finished P4 outright and P1 Rookie and came just one point short from taking out the Rookie Championship.”

Jones has had a huge amount of track time this year. Between the two full-time championships, and a couple of one-off appearances, he has competed across 20 race weekends.

“The intensity of a European racing program is just something else. No where else in the world are you in the car every week. Needless to say, I feel pretty battle-hardened.”

Whilst overseas, Jones says his love for the Porsche platform has grown and he is excited to be back on the Carrera Cup Australia grid in 2024.

“Carrera Cup Australia is my favorite category in the world. I have raced across the globe, but to be in Australia, in Porsches, on some of the best tracks in the world is absolutely a dream come true.”

The Jones Motorsport team recently had a successful debut at the Bathurst 1000. With Harri behind the wheel, the team claimed Pole Position and a trio of second place finishes in what was one of the most competitive Porsche Carrera Cup Australia fields of all time.

“I’d heard about all of the hard work the team had been putting in whilst I was overseas,” said Jones.

“But when we arrived at Bathurst and I witnessed it all paying off for our debut on track, it was just amazing. There’s a lot more to come and I know we are just getting started on what will be an incredible journey.”

Watch Harri and the Jones Motorsport team in action at the Gold Coast 500 this coming weekend, October 27 to 29.

Faces new and returning join Carrera Cup title battle in Queensland

Pro, Pro-Am championship battles on the line with two rounds to go

NEW and returning faces will join a Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia grid heading towards a title showdown, this weekend on the Gold Coast City streets. 

As leader Callum Hedge and closest rival Jackson Walls resume their battle for the 2023 championship, the Surfers grid gets an injection of new and existing talent for the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 this weekend.

The Gold Coast has traditionally hosted the series’ finale, the title being decided on the tough street track every year except for the Covid-affected 2021 season however with two rounds remaining, this weekend offers the prospect of being critical for both the Equity One Pro and SP Tools Pro-Am class title fights.

The 28-strong field includes Porsche expert Luke Youlden, who will deputise for Danny Stutterd aboard the #23 TekworkX Motorsport entry this weekend.

With the SP Tools Pro-Am regular away with family commitments, Youlden – a three time Carrera Cup race winner – will drive this weekend with support from long-time team backer, MDE Communications and Electrical.

Youlden finished eighth in last year’s championship in a season that included a race win in Townsville.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel, my last race was the Gold Coast in 2022 and I thought I drove pretty well at that one, even if the results didn’t particularly reflect it,” said Youlden.

“It’s hopefully a positive for Max and Thomas as well, having a third pro driver, to help them out a bit. Three heads are better than one, looking at data and trying different things to find the speed. I’ve got a fair amount of experience with lots of co-drives around there, so I don’t expect the year out of the seat will affect me to much.”

While the experienced Youlden returns, a Carrera Cup rookie will make his Gold Coast debut in a step up from regular competition in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge Australia.

17-year-old Marcos Flack will make his Carrera Cup debut this weekend driving for regular team, Sonic Motor Racing.

The son of former Pro-Am class contender Damien, and nephew of current contender Adrian Flack, Marcos currently sits sixth in the Sprint Challenge standings with a round to go.

After qualifying on pole in the opening round, Flack has finished third in five of the last six races against one of the strongest Sprint Challenge field the series has seen.

“It will be a good experience. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Flack.

“It’s all in preparation for next year. My aim is to do Carrera Cup in 2024. There are a few details to lock away, but this will give me a good head start for next year.

“The circuit will be difficult. It’s my first time at a street track, so my main aim will be to learn the track, enjoy the experience and keep the car straight.”

Meanwhile, defending champion Harri Jones returns to the scene of his title win last year in the second of two planned outings aboard his Jones Motorsport entry, having finished second to European rival Harry King at Mount Panorama two weeks ago.

The Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia field heads to the Gold Coast with the Pro and Pro-Am title battles on a knife’s edge with two rounds and just six races remaining.

Having missed Bathurst, Callum Hedge leads Jackson Walls by just six points with 360 still up for grabs across the final two rounds.

The fight for third is equally intense with third-placed Dale Wood just nine points in front of Max Vidau, and only 37 in front of Sandown winner, Dylan O’Keeffe.

Six different drivers have won the six rounds contested this year, one short of equalling an all-time Carrera Cup record.

In the SP Tools Pro-Am fight, Sam Shahin holds a narrow 28 point lead over Adrian Flack with two rounds remaining.

Dean Cook sits third and is only 44 points from the series lead – less than one full race.

Flack (Grand Prix), Cook (Darwin, Sandown) Shahin (Townsville, The Bend) and Liam Talbot (Bathurst) have shared the wins in the Pro-Am class this year.

Talbot will return to the championship aboard the Moutai car for Wall Racing once again this weekend.

Last year, Callum Hedge claimed the Gold Coast round in what served as a climactic final round of the championship.

Harri Jones sealed his title with a consistent performance, however the star was arguably his nearest title rival Aaron Love, who proved you can overtake on the tight street circuit.

Starting 15th after getting caught out in qualifying, Love scythed his way through the field in race one and then took just a few laps to race his way to the lead in the second on Sunday morning, before winning convincingly.

Meanwhile, Dean Cook claimed Pro-Am honours last year in a title finale that saw three different drivers lead the title after each of the three races, Geoff Emery ultimately claiming the crown.

Practice 2, TAG Heuer Qualifying and all three races will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo and Sky Sports NZ this weekend.

Races 1 and 3 will also be broadcast on free-to-air via the Seven Network around Australia.

ENTRY LIST – ROUND 7
Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, Queensland

Luke Youlden returns to Carrera Cup for Gold Coast cameo

Multiple winner to deputise for Danny Stutterd this weekend

Luke Youlden will return to the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship this weekend at the Gold Coast 500, alongside TekworkX Motorsport teammates Max Vidau and Thomas Maxwell.

It marks 12 months since Youlden last raced, when he contested the final round of the 2022 Carrera Cup season on the Surfers Paradise street circuit. The return comes as a one-off appearance with Youlden taking over the #23 campaigned so far this year by Pro-Am Danny Stutterd, who misses the Gold Coast round due to family commitments.

Youlden, a co-owner in TekworkX, has worked closely with the Carrera Cup squad throughout the year in his role as Team Manager.

“I’m excited to get back behind the wheel, my last race was the Gold Coast in 2022 and I thought I drove pretty well at that one, even if the results didn’t particularly reflect it,” said Youlden.

“It’s hopefully a positive for Max and Thomas as well, having a third pro driver, to help them out a bit. Three heads are better than one, looking at data and trying different things to find the speed. I’ve got a fair amount of experience with lots of co-drives around there, so I don’t expect the year out of the seat will affect me to much.

“I expect Danny will still have an integral role within the team on the weekend, and I know full well that I’m going out to do the best I can for myself and for Danny in his car. If we can help out Thomas and Max in their efforts as well, then that’d be perfect for the team,” concluded Youlden.

Maxwell has tackled the streets of the Gold Coast on one prior occasion, in his 2019 Carrera Cup season. The Spitwater backed driver currently sits ninth in the points, with two rounds to go.

“What an awesome setting for a track, it’s got all the atmosphere, vibes, the entertainment and the track is one of the sketchiest places on the calendar to put a lap together,” said Maxwell.

“No tyre bundles are good, hopefully we go through a few less splitters and radiators. I’m interested to see how these cars handle the big kerbs down the back, being a bit stiffer than what I drove in 2019, I think they’ll be a bit of a handful.

“The experience from Luke and just having a third Pro car there to try things and provide more data is invaluable. He’s got a year in these cars under his belt, so it’ll be great, I can’t wait to see him in action. Keen to get stuck in, and turn our results around,” concluded Maxwell.

Vidau is fourth in the championship leading into the Gold Coast, 145 points off the series lead. The Tyrepower driver has been in top form on the street circuits in 2023, taking a victory at the Australian Grand Prix and two more in Townsville – one of just two drivers to win on multiple circuits so far in 2023.

“I’m pretty stoked to be running with Luke again, and to get back to a street circuit,” said Vidau.

“Luke and I were as fast as each other pretty much all season in 2022, massively keen to have his support again for this one and have his input. I couldn’t be happier to be without the tyre bundles though, the Porsches do way too much damage if you hit them and they could ruin your weekend pretty quickly.

“We were fast in practice here last year, but we didn’t get a chance to see how we faired across the rest of the weekend thanks to a blown tyre in qualifying. We’ve been quick on the street circuits all year, it’s always fun to get it up against the walls and throw it over the kerbs.

“Championship wise, we’d need a bit to go our way, but we’ll go out and do our thing. See where we land at the end of the weekend,” concluded Vidau.

Round seven of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Championship takes place at the Gold Coast 500 from October 27-29.