Friday pace-setter Jonny Reid has taken the first steps towards his goal of victory at the final round of the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia season at Sydney Olympic Park.
With the 2012 title secured by Craig Baird at the penultimate Gold Coast round, Reid and Alex Davison will battle for second in the championship this weekend, with only seven points separating the Porsche pair. However Reid is more focussed on success at the Sydney season finale.
Reid started his Sydney campaign by posting the fourth fastest lap in opening practice, but lifted to claim the top time of the day in the second practice session.
Opening practice pace-setter Baird finished the day with the second fastest time, followed Nick Foster and Steven Richards.
Alex Davison, the only driver to not eclipse his Practice 1 time, posted the fifth fastest time after experiencing mechanical issues in the second session; followed on the time sheets by Daniel Gaunt, Andre Heimgartner and Porsche Carrera Cup Asia champion and Sydney Guest driver Alexandre Imperatori in eighth.
Reid was pleased with his early pace and has his sights firmly set on victory at the season finale.
“I’m rapt with the car and the way it’s performing at the moment. We’ve got a tough weekend ahead but if we can get all our stars aligned we can certainly take three race wins,” said Reid.
“The goal is to win as the championship has been wrapped up. It pains me to think that I missed the first round at the Clipsal 500 this year and the championship was decided a round early because of that. For this weekend, taking away the satisfaction of winning and getting fastest laps will be my goal. If I do that, second in the championship will follow.”
Max Twigg was the fastest Elite Class driver in ninth position, followed by Shae Davies, debutant Michael Almond, James Koundouris, Tony Bates, Theo Koundouris, Marc Cini, Ray Angus, Michael Loccisano and Stephen Grove.
Twigg will now try to convert his practice pace into a strong qualifying and race performance against the competitive Professional Class drivers.
“This weekend I just want to run with the professional drivers, and if I’m within a couple of tenths off guys like Daniel Gaunt now, then I think I’ll be able to remain with them for a good part of the race,” said Twigg.
“I’ve just got to get a good position in qualifying tomorrow to place me close to the professional guys for the start of the opening race.”
Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia will hold its qualifying session and two races on Saturday, with the final race of the season to be held on Sunday.
Race Schedule
Saturday December 01, 2012
8:50am Qualifying 20 minutes
12:45pm Race 1 12 laps
5:15pm Race 2 12 laps
Sunday December 02, 2012
10:40am Race 3 12 laps
Broadcast Schedule
Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia – Race 3 (as live)
Date: Sunday December 02, 2012
Time: 11:40am (QLD), 12:40pm (NSW/VIC), 12:10pm (SA/NT), 10:40am (WA)
Channel: Seven
Note: the race will be telecast approximately two hours after the actual race.