Mark Griffith leads the points standings for Class E as the 2018 Jacuzzi Spas Australian Production Cars season gets ready to storm to its conclusion at the Phillip Island Six Hour this weekend (November 2-4).
Joining him in the driving duties as he looks to secure the class championship will be Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge race and round-winner Jimmy Vernon, who first drove with Griffith at the APC’s penultimate round at Sydney Motorsport Park – the same event at which he broke-through for his maiden GT3 Cup victory.
The pairing will be hoping for a repeat of their success at Sydney, and at the very least, to stay ahead of Griffith’s championship rivals at the Island so he can hoist the big trophy come Sunday night.
“I certainly hope so,” said Griffith when asked if he expects to be able to take out the Class E championship.
“We are in a battle with a car that is 15 years newer (the MG Motor Australia/Brock Race Engineering MG6Plus) and has a turbo motor, so I think we are going not too bad in our Toyota Echo!
“We will struggle against them when it comes to power on the long straights and across the hills of Phillip Island, but that won’t stop us from doing all we can to keep our points margin while having a lot of fun – that is the main reason we race after all, a win is just a bonus as far as we are concerned.”
Twenty-one year old Vernon, who finished his debut Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge season this year with two-race victories and a round win, says he is looking forward to coming back to the APC after his last-minute call-up in Sydney.
“I am really stoked to be getting back into the seat with Mark, it was awesome to team up with him last-minute at Sydney Motorsport Park and it will be good to have a little bit more time to prep this time around,” Vernon said, while sending his thanks to Mark for the opportunity.
“Our main objective will be to get the best result we can as Mark is in the box seat for the Class E Championship and it would be awesome to send off the year with a win for Mark.
“I always want to jump in the car and do the best that I can of course and I am really looking forward to racing at Phillip Island – it will be interesting to see how the little Echo goes there and I am very excited to be back in the APC.”
The #12 Griffith Corporation Toyota Echo entry is supported on-track by Hogs Breath, Griffith Corp, All Auto Electrics and Hart Transmissions.
The Phillip Island Six Hour event, promoted by the Jacuzzi Spas Australian Production Cars, will be held at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit across November 2-4.
Joining the APC racers on-track at Phillip Island will be the final round of the 2018 Australian Prototype Series presented by Hot Wheels, BMW E30 Club racing – including a one-hour enduro race and a special invitational class for Production and Improved Production entrants – and Lotus Regularity sprint sessions run by Lotus Australia.
Those wanting to watch the event will be spoilt for choice also: trackside tickets are available at the gate from just $20 for adults and $15 for concession holders (please click here for full ticket pricing) and full coverage of both Saturday and Sunday’s action will be provided online thanks to a free live stream available through www.australianproductioncars.com.au and www.facebook.com/AustralianProductionCars The first four hours of the race will also be broadcast by C31 Melbourne.
