Stars of Porsche Carrera Cup Australia’s past round at Porsche Rennsport Australia have again shined on the opening day of the championship’s fourth round in Townsville.

Nick Percat and Max Twigg both secured their maiden Carrera Cup race victories at the Rennsport event and have continued their strong pace in Townsville, posting the quickest times of the day in the Professional Class and Elite Class, respectively.

The pair are now confident for tomorrow’s qualifying session, which will be followed by the opening race of the weekend on Saturday afternoon.

“All in all it was a pretty good day. We didn’t run very good tyres in the first session; it was more to see what kerbs I could and couldn’t use compared to the V8 Supercar. We put a decent set of tyres on this afternoon and emerged quickest,” said Percat.

“I think there’s a street track theme with this pace. We go quite well at street tracks and Team BRM has a really good set-up here. It’s easy when I can point the car in the right direction and it keeps producing a good time.

“I definitely want my first individual race win and my first round win, especially here in Townsville. I love this place and I’ve always performed well here so hopefully we can turn this into a good weekend.”

Craig Baird posted the second quickest time in Friday’s practice sessions from Michael Patrizi, Steven Richards, Warren Luff and Shae Davies.

The seventh fastest time of the day was posted by Elite Class pace-setter Twigg, who was pleased with his pace against the Professional Class racers.

“I’m feeling good and the car is working well; everything seems to be falling into place for us,” said Twigg.

“I’m confident that I’ll be the fastest Elite Class qualifier, and with that I’ll hopefully be able to chase those pro guys. That’s where I want to sit in order to learn more about this track, which is not a circuit that I’ve always performed well at.

“I’m currently sixth outright in the championship standings and was the seventh quickest driver today. My aim this weekend is to genuinely mix it with these Professional Class drivers.”

Damien Flack started his Townsville event with strong pace, posting the eighth quickest time in Practice 1, however contact with the barrier late in Practice 2, which ended the session prematurely, dampened his day’s performance.

Duvashen Padayachee posted the ninth quickest time from Michael Loccisano, James Koundouris, Tony Bates and James Bergmuller in 13th in his first appearance at the North Queensland circuit.

Shane Smollen was the day’s 14th quickest Porsche driver from Marc Cini, Renee Gracie, Tony Walls, Stephen Grove, Paul Kelly and Carrera Cup debutant Martin Wagg.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia qualifying in Townsville will commence at 8:35am, followed by Race 1 at 2:25pm, which will be broadcast live on the Seven Network.

Race Schedule
Saturday July 06, 2013
8:35am Qualifying 20 minutes
2:25pm Race 1 14 laps
Sunday July 07, 2013
10:35am Race 2 14 laps
1:20pm Race 3 14 laps

Broadcast Schedule
Carrera Cup – Race 1 (live)
Date: Saturday July 06, 2013
Time: 2:25pm
Channel: Seven (Bris/Syd), 7mate (Melb/Adel/Per)
Carrera Cup – Race 3 (live)
Date: Sunday July 07, 2013
Time: 1:20pm
Channel: Seven (Bris/Syd), 7mate (Melb/Adel/Per)