Newly-crowned Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge champion Jake Santalucia will make an early step up to the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship in Adelaide this week.
The 18-year-old Victorian will race the current model 992 Cup Car at the famed Adelaide street circuit in what will be both his Carrera Cup debut and his first race on the Adelaide streets.
Having completed his maiden test in the 992 at Winton earlier in the week, Santalucia will drive a fourth Team Sonic Porsche in Adelaide.
“Even before I started karting, it’s been a goal of mine to race in Carrera Cup,” said Santalucia.
“I remember watching the morning support classes at Bathurst on TV and I always looked out for the yellow Bob Jane T-Marts Porsches. So it’s pretty cool that I’ll be able to tick this box with Sonic in Adelaide.
“I’ve never driven on the Adelaide circuit before. I’ve raced on the streets of Townsville, and I realise it’s not the same, but at least having the experience of Townsville in the last two seasons puts me in good stead.
“I did my first test at Winton this week and I got up to speed pretty quickly. The cars aren’t that much different and I felt comfortable.
“We’ve moved on pretty quickly from winning the title. I would have liked to celebrate it a bit more, but I also want to keep on track and improve myself. We might have a nice party after Adelaide.”
Santalucia’s debut in the top Porsche category will see him follow the likes of fellow Sonic drivers Jordan Love, Aaron Love and Marcos Flack who have graduated from the second-tier Porsche category into Carrera Cup.
Santalucia secured Sonic’s sixth Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at Sandown, and in doing so, became the second youngest in the category’s history to claim the crown – beaten by just seven days by Jordan Love.
The addition of Santalucia to the Adelaide Carrera Cup field means that Sonic will field four cars in the season finale, joining regular team drivers Angelo Mouzouris, Marcos Flack and Pro-Am title leader Rodney Jane.
Track action kicks off in Adelaide this Thursday (November 26), with one race scheduled on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
