Returning Porsche Carrera Cup Australia racer David Wall has impressed on the opening day of the 2016 season by posting the fastest time in both Thursday practice sessions, while TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge drivers Tony Bates and Shane Smollen shared top spot in the first two outings of the season.

Following a lengthy V8 Supercars stint, Wall posted the quickest time on Thursday upon his championship return ahead of young gun Matt Campbell, local ace Michael Almond and 2014 champion, Steven Richards.

“I’m very happy with my initial pace. I did plenty of laps to get me back in the groove and I’m happy with where I’m at after Thursday practice. I can’t speak highly enough of my team and sponsors, who have allowed me to keep racing after my stint in V8 Supercars,” said Wall, who is racing with his family outfit, Wall Racing.

“I’m feeling comfortable in the car. This model GT3 Cup car is a lot different to the old Porsches I used to race in Carrera Cup, so I’m getting use to the car still, but absolutely loving being back and racing in this championship.”

Championship newcomer Ash Walsh was the fifth quickest of the day from 2004 champion Alex Davison, Fraser Ross, Dean Fiore, Duvashen Padayachee, Nick McBride, Garth Walden and GT3 Cup Challenge graduate, Dylan O’Keeffe.

Tony Bates was the best of the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge runners for Thursday, being the only driver to post a better lap time in the opening practice session. Smollen was fastest in the second session with the second best Challenge time of the day from young rookie James Abela, Stephen Grove, Marc Cini, Stephen Grove and Adrian Mastronardo.

“I was definitely a little bit rusty this morning, but with the better tyre in the second session I was able to push on and posted a pretty good time. I feel more comfortable now as I haven’t done too many laps since last October; I feel like a race car driver again,” said reigning Challenge champion, Smollen.

“Tony is obviously right on the pace also so I’m confident it will be good, close racing this weekend.”

Meanwhile Adelaide racer Almond, who posted the third best time of the day, is hopeful he can continue his Thursday form further into the four-day event in front of his home crowd.

“Seventh in the opening session was a surprise; it’s always nice to be around the top five but it’s a very strong field this year. We made a change on the car and it worked for practice two, which enabled us to improve in the second session,” said Almond.

“Racing at home is always great and having a strong practice puts you in a good mindset going into qualifying tomorrow morning. I’ve had a few strong practice results but the hard work starts now.”

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will hold its qualifying and opening race on Friday and race two and race three on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Race Schedule
Friday March 04, 2016
8:45am-9:05am Qualifying (20 minutes)
3:05pm-3:30pm Race 1 (16 laps)
Saturday March 05, 2016
11:35am-12:05pm Race 2 (20 Laps)
Sunday March 06, 2016
2:10pm-2:40pm Race 3 (20 Laps)

Broadcast Schedule (local time)
Channel: TEN
Race 1 – 3:05pm, Friday March 04
Race 2 – 11:35am, Saturday March 05
Race 3 – 2:10pm, Sunday March 06
Channel: Fox Sports 5 (Channel 506)
Qualifying – 8:45am, Friday March 04
Race 1 – 3:05pm, Friday March 04
Race 2 – 11:35am, Saturday March 05
Race 3 – 2:10pm, Sunday March 06

Practice Results (Combined P1/P2)
1. #38 David Wall – Wilson Security: 1:22.3722*
2. #7 Matt Campbell – Phase 8 – McElrea Racing: 1:22.6079s
3. #26 Michael Almond – Copyworld1: :22.6624s
4. #12 Steven Richards – Laser Plumbing and Electrical: 1:22.8043s
5. #777 Ash Walsh – Bob Jane T-Marts/Infants Friend1: :22.8362s
6. #25 Alex Davison – Copyworld Racing: 1:22.8365s
7. #360 Fraser Ross – 360fly: 1:23.2532s
8. #8 Dean Fiore – Saint/Porsche Centre Melbourne : :23.2901s
9. #45 Duvashen Padayachee – Darrell Lea STIX: 1:23.4202s
10. #77 Nick McBride – Bob Jane T-Marts : :23.4961s
11. #21 Garth Walden – CIP/GWR: 1:23.5808s
12. #88 Dylan O’Keeffe – All Star Equipment Sales/Dexion Supply Centre :1:23.9469s
13. #24 Tony Bates (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Moveitnet/A.F.S: 1:23.9789s
14. #56 Shane Smollen (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) McGrath Estate Agents: 1:24.1222s
15. #54 James Abela – Horsley Park Gun Shop: 1:24.2707s
16. #4 Stephen Grove (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Hire: 1:24.7439s
17. #9 Marc Cini (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Hallmarc: 1:24.8909s
18. #13 James Bergmuller (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) pricepressure.com.au: 1:25.0046s
19. #39 Adrian Mastronardo (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Veritas Property Group: 1:25.4623s