Porsche Carrera Cup Australia newcomer Aaron Seton’s Friday performance has been the highlight of the opening day of the Sandown round, where Matt Campbell and Tony Bates topped the practice times.
Campbell entered the Melbourne round following a breakthrough Sydney Motorsport Park performance, where he claimed his first two Carrera Cup race wins. The Queenslander backed up this effort with the best Friday lap time at Sandown, 0.34secs ahead of Richard Muscat, Nick Foster, Craig Baird and Seton in fifth – a result that pleased the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia regular and son of former Australian Touring Car ace, Glenn Seton.
“I’m pretty happy with my pace here today,” said Seton, who also provided the best off-track highlight with a spectacular trip into the turn one run-off area. “It’s great to gain some more experience in these cars and around Sandown. Unfortunately Scott Taylor couldn’t be here this weekend, but he’s given me an amazing opportunity to run his car. I’m going to try and make the most of it, gain more experience and see where we end up by the end of the weekend.”
Practice pacesetter Campbell was also pleased with his Friday form.
“We were quick in the first session and then made a few improvements to the car in the second session and had a nice little gap to the rest of the field by the end of the day. I was able to get a couple of wins in Sydney and battle with Nick and I’ll be gunning for similar results this weekend,” said Campbell.
John Martin was the sixth fastest driver from the two Friday practice sessions from Nick McBride, Steven Richards and Bates in ninth outright.
Bates endured a difficult Sydney Motorsport Park round, crashing in practice and watching the remainder of the round from the sidelines, so the Victorian was thrilled to bounce back from the Sydney setback as the fastest TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge driver from Friday.
“The team has done a great job getting the car ready for this weekend so it’s great to reward the boys with a successful day. When things go well we’re pretty hard to beat in the Challenge class and we’re usually not far off the Professional drivers. I’m probably out of the championship running so I’m nice and relaxed and here to win the next three rounds to finish off the year on a good note,” said Bates.
Shane Smollen was the second quickest of the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge competitors from Stephen Grove, Ash Samadi, James Bergmuller, Adrian Mastronardo and Marc Cini.
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will hold its qualifying and opening two races on Saturday, with the third and final race of the Sandown round on Sunday.
Race Schedule
Saturday September 12
9:40am – Qualifying (25 minutes)
11:40am – Race 1 (17 laps)
3:15pm – Race 2 (17 laps)
Sunday September 13
12:10pm – Race 3 (19 laps)
Broadcast Schedule
Channel: TEN
Race 2 – 3:15pm, Saturday September 12
Race 3 – 12:10pm, Sunday September 13
Channel: Fox Sports 5 (Channel 506)
Qualifying – 9:40am, Saturday September 12
Race 1 – 11:40am, Saturday September 12
Race 2 – 3:15pm, Saturday September 12
Race 3 – 12:10pm, Sunday September 13
Practice Results (Combined times)
1. #7 Matt Campbell (Professional) Phase 8/Nuveau Constructions, 1:11.0266*
2. #22 Richard Muscat (Professional) Wilson Security / PAYCE, 1:11.3669s
3. #777 Nick Foster (Professional) Bob Jane T-Marts, 1:11.4427s
4. #8 Craig Baird (Professional) Porsche Centre Melbourne, 1:11.5974s
5. #222 Aaron Seton (Professional) Scott Taylor Motorsport, 1:11.6069s
6. #25 John Martin (Professional) Copyworld, 1:11.7604s
7. #77 Nick McBride (Professional) Bob Jane T-Marts, 1:11.9053s
8. #1 Steven Richards (Professional) Laser Plumbing & Electrical, 1:11.9453s
9. #24 Tony Bates (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) AFS/Fleetguard, 1:12.2289s
10. #88 Shae Davies (Professional) Davbridge Constructions, 1:12.2615s
11. #10 David Russell (Professional) Finance Ezi, 1:12.2971s
12. #45 Duvashen Padayachee (Professional) Darrell Lea STIX, 1:12.3845s
13. #26 Michael Almond (Professional) Copyworld, 1:12.4024s
14. #65 Fraser Ross (Professional) Porsche Centre Brighton, 1:12.5406s
15. #56 Shane Smollen (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) McGrath Estate Agents, 1:12.6833s
16. #11 John Magro (Professional) Team BRM, 1:12.7835s
17. #4 Stephen Grove (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Group, 1:13.4562s
18. #6 Ash Samadi (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Apartment Hotel, 1:13.5029s
19. #13 James Bergmuller (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) MotorOne Car Care, 1:13.5617s
20. #39 Adrian Mastronardo (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Veritas/Builtform, 1:13.5955s
21. #9 Marc Cini (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Hallmarc, 1:13.7445s
