New Zealand Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia drivers have won all three races held at Symmons Plains over the weekend, with Marco Giltrap taking round honours and Ronan Murphy winning the finale.
Giltrap was the victor of the second race of the weekend, backing up a dominant Race 1 win on Saturday to fend off compatriot Zac Stichbury in Sunday’s opener.
Stichbury had done extremely well off the front row in Race 2, leading Giltrap through early proceedings only to be passed after the halfway point, allowing Giltrap to go on to take the flag by just four-tenths of a second.
Second spot was a timely reward for Stichbury, the Team Porsche New Zealand driver finally rewarded with his maiden podium for his persistence, having finished fourth over the three previous races.
Murphy had threatened to make the podium late on, Harrison Goodman proving the difference for what would have been an all-Kiwi lockout to take third over the Kiwi by three-tenths of a second.
Murphy would receive his dues in Race 3, however, having pace to burn to charge to an emphatic win over Oscar Targett and Tom McLennan.
Giltrap finished the 40-Lap enduro in fourth, while Stichbury was 13th having been spun by Lachlan Bloxsom mid-way through the race.
Stichbury had looked the goods again, and a Kiwi 1-2-3 was on the cards early, only for Giltrap to fade and Stichbury to spin out.
The win was Murphy’s first for the season and on Australian soil, propelling him to the top of the Endurance Cup standings.
Two wins and a fourth were enough for Giltrap to take round honours and extend his lead in the championship.
“Yeah, it’s a little bit bittersweet after that last race,” said Giltrap. “You know, we really, really struggled. I think it was p4 on the end after, if so it was just a bit of damage limitation.
“But it was a good weekend, we can’t let it take away from that pole to race wins, so I’m very happy and have the championship lead and I think it’s pretty wide open – it’s going to be a good season.”
Stichbury’s strong run of results sees him remain in the mix as a genuine title contender, despite his Race 3 difficulties in Tasmania.
Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia returns to action in Sydney on July 28-30.
Header Image: Marco Giltrap Motorsport
