MEDIA RELEASE: Porsche Carrera Cup Australia will kick off the second half of its 2015 season at Sydney Motorsport Park this weekend as several eager racers look to add to the championship’s record books.
As drivers prepare for the season’s fifth round in Sydney, in-form young gun Nick Foster aims to become only the fifth Carrera Cup driver to score five-straight race wins. After success in Phillip Island’s race two and a Townsville clean sweep, Foster is eager to add his name to the list of drivers who have achieved the impressive feat: Craig Baird, Fabian Coulthard, Alex Davison and Jim Richards, who holds the outright record – eight consecutive wins in 2003.
“In terms of car set-up, Sydney Motorsport Park is one of the most difficult circuits in Australia; it has fast, flowing sections but also slow, off-camber corners. It’s an amazing circuit so I’m looking forward to going there,” said Foster.
“Last year I was one of the fastest drivers towards the end of the weekend and, fast forward 12 months, I’m in a much better position in the championship than I was in 2014. Townsville was our worst weekend in 2014 in terms of pace and 12 months down the track we’ve turned that around. I’m now looking to do that same for the remainder of 2015.”
Reigning champion Steven Richards will reach two unique milestones at this weekend’s round. Richards will make his 100th Carrera Cup start in race two, while he will also contest his 35th Carrera Cup round – equaling the overall round starts of the inaugural champion and his father, Jim Richards.
Two teams have dominated Carrera Cup competition this year: Sonic Motor Racing and Steve Richards Motorsport have won 12 of the 13 races so far this season. One driver looking to change this will be Team BRM racer, Richard Muscat.
The Victorian scored a career best second outright in Townsville and hopes to continue this momentum in Sydney.
“I’ve done a few laps at Sydney Motorsport Park; from Phillip Island onwards I’ve been to all the tracks except Gold Coast. I was pretty quick at the track in GT3 Cup Challenge so I hope that translates to strong pace and good results in the Carrera Cup round,” said Muscat.
In the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge, Shane Smollen aims to become the third driver to take three consecutive round wins in the class, a feat only previously achieved by Rodney Jane and Max Twigg.
Sydneysider Smollen currently leads the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge standings by 11 points from reigning class champion Stephen Grove and Tony Bates. Roger Lago, fourth in the class points, will not return for the Sydney round following his Townsville crash, while fifth placed local racer Ash Samadi is looking forward to competing at his home event.
“Sydney is my home track, I’ve been racing there for years and therefore I hope to have an advantage there. The track is fast and flowing, which certainly suits these cars. The smoother you are, the faster you are,” said Samadi.
“Last year we had a new car so we were getting our heads around it regarding the set up and how the car behaved. With a year’s experience, it will be easier when we turn up with the data and knowledge from last year.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Australia features an expanded track schedule at Sydney Motorsport Park; the championship will provide an hour-and-a-half of racing across three 30 minutes races. Two races will be held on Saturday, with the third race of the event to be held on Sunday, just prior to the feature V8 Supercars race.
Be sure to watch every Porsche Carrera Cup Australia session at Sydney Motorsport Park live throughout the weekend on Fox Sports 5.
Race Schedule
Friday August 21, 2015
9:25am – Practice 1 (30 minutes)
12:35pm – Practice 2 (30 minutes)
Saturday August 22, 2015
8:40am – Qualifying (30 minutes)
10:55am – Race 1 (19 laps)
3:40pm – Race 2 (19 laps)
Sunday August 23, 2015
12:45pm – Race 3 (19 laps)
Broadcast Schedule
Friday August 21, 2015
9:25am – Practice 1 (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
12:35pm – Practice 2 (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
Saturday August 22, 2015
8:40am – Qualifying (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
10:55am – Race 1 (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
3:40pm – Race 2 (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
Sunday August 23, 2015
12:45pm – Race 3 (Fox Sports 5, Channel 506)
Entry List – Sydney Motorsport Park
#1 – Steven Richards (Professional) Laser Plumbing & Electrical
#4 – Stephen Grove (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Group
#6 Ash Samadi (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Apartment Hotel
#7 – Matt Campbell (Professional) Phase 8/Nuveau Constructions
#8 – Craig Baird (Professional) Porsche Centre Melbourne
#9 – Marc Cini (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Hallmarc
#10 – David Russell (Professional) Finanze Ezi
#11 – Simon Hodge (Professional) Team BRM
#13 – James Bergmuller (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) MotorOne Car Care
#22 – Richard Muscat (Professional) Wilson Security / PAYCE / Genis Steel
#24 – Tony Bates (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) AFS/TOP CAT Video Productions
#25 – John Martin (Professional) Copyworld
#26 – Michael Almond (Professional) Copyworld
#39 – Adrian Mastronardo (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Veritas/Builtform
#45 – Duvashen Padayachee (Professional) Darrell Lea STIX
#56 – Shane Smollen (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) McGrath Estate Agents
#65 – Fraser Ross (Professional) Porsche Centre Willoughby
#77 – Nick McBride (Professional) Bob Jane T-Marts
#88 – Shae Davies (Professional) Davbridge Constructions
#222 – Scott Taylor (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Scott Taylor Motorsport
#777 – Nick Foster (Professional) Bob Jane T-Marts
