Impressive Carrera Cup young gun Shae Davies has today unveiled the brand new Porsche 991 GT3 Cup car with which he aims to challenge for this year’s Porsche Carrera Cup Australia (PCCA) title.
Entering his second full season in PCCA, 23-year old Davies will this year re-unite with the leading McElrea Racing squad who he made his PCCA debut with back in 2012 as part of a two-race program.
Davies’ new machine will enter battle in a colourful and aggressive livery combining matte black, fluorescent red and green, white and blue. Davies has retained major backing from Nuveau Constructions and Davbridge Constructions, and will this year welcome the support of St. George Bank, Phase8 and DKM Accountants.
The McElrea Racing-led No Second Chance initiative raising awareness for road safety and anti-violence will also be promoted on the car’s bonnet.
Davies announced his arrival in PCCA last season with a consistent run of strong performances, highlighted by three podium round finishes, a maiden outright race win at Winton and the Pro class round victory at the inaugural Porsche Rennsport event at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Davies, the reigning Kumho Tyres V8 Touring Car Series champion, believes he has never been better prepared for the beginning of a racing season following a series of test days in his new Carrera Cup car and a rigourous summer training regime with leading motorsport fitness expert, Phil Young of GP Human Performance.
Ensuring he is completely immersed in the task of racing in PCCA this season, Davies is now also a full-time, contracted employee of McElrea Racing. When he is not racing, Davies can be found working in the team’s Yatala raceshop or coaching drivers on McElrea Racing Driver Development (MRDD) track days.
The eight-round Porsche Carrera Cup Australia season kicks off for 2014 at next weekend’s Clipsal 500 Adelaide (February 27-March 2).
SHAE DAVIES: “The learning period is behind me and now it is my full intent to ruffle the feathers of those who have led the charge in PCCA in recent years, such as Bairdo (Craig Baird) and Steven Richards. Race wins and the championship are absolutely the goal and my McElrea Racing team and I could not be better prepared for a big year.
“Testing in the new 991 has gone very well and I am feeling very comfortable in the new car. It suits my driving style and I feel physically and mentally primed to attack the season. Working full-time with the team has also greatly assisted my preparation and given me a first-hand appreciation of the tireless and skilled effort the boys put into my racecar and those of my team-mates.”