Solid start for Sonic in Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge at Phillip Island
Sonic Motor Racing Services has made a solid start to its 2023 Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge campaign at Phillip Island this weekend.
The team’s three-car attack on the title saw the team take pole position and numerous podium results, leaving each driver in a competitive position in the series standings.
Marcos Flack got the team’s weekend off to a flying start, qualifying on pole on Saturday afternoon.
Unfortunately, his weekend high ended there. Running in the leading pack early in Race 1, he slipped off the road at turn one, damaging his spoiler and eventually finishing 23rd.
Flack stormed through the field to finish 10th in Race 2, and made his way to be as high as second, only to endure a tyre problem that eventually saw him come home 11th in the race and sit ninth in the Pro standings.
Harrison Goodman enjoyed his best results of his Porsche career, ending the weekend third outright.
The Bob Jane T-Marts driver qualified eighth and made a great start to Race 1, climbing through the field to finish fourth.
Goodman continued to impress in Races 2 and 3, claiming two third places – his first podiums in the class – putting him right in the fight for the title.
Ronan Murphy also had an excellent Sprint Challenge debut, finishing second in the final race.
The son of Bathurst great Greg got his weekend off to a strong start, qualifying seventh before making steady, positive progress through the three races.
Murphy finished fifth in both the first and second race, competing right up the front of what is being regarded as the most competitive Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge on record.
In the longer third race, Murphy showed pace and patience, rocketing up to second place to see him end the weekend fourth outright in the Pro class.
Overall, it was a great start for all three of Sonic’s drivers, proving they will be in the title fight over the six round series.
The second round of the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge is at Queensland Raceway on April 28-30.
QUOTES
Harrison Goodman
#88 Bob Jane T-Marts Sonic Porsche
“Started off practice at the front which was really good. I struggled a bit in qualifying, but started to show my pace again in Race 1,” said Goodman.
“It was good results in all three races, ending up third in the series, so we’re off to a good start.
“Already looking forward to the next round at Queensland Raceway and hopefully continue the pace there and end up strong in the championship.”
Ronan Murphy
#77 Dayle ITM Sonic Porsche
“A pretty good weekend in the first round,” said Murphy.
“The weekend started off a bit slow for us. We made improvements through practice. I was a little disappointed with qualifying. I felt like I didn’t maximise it, but the racing was awesome. I just stayed consistent, kept out of trouble and it was great to finish it off with a P2.”
Marcos Flack
#78 Rosche Sonic Porsche
“It was a great first round. There were a lot of highs and lows, but that is motorsport,” said Flack.
“To put it on pole by 0.48s was something amazing and I feel like I made a statement.
“I was up and down the grid all day after some problems, but I will work it out the next round and I plan to be up the front.
“Thanks to Sonic for all of its hard work in the lead up to the event and over the weekend.”