New Zealander Reid Harker finished on the podium in the second Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race at Korea International Circuit over the weekend, while Chris van der Drift charged from 21st on the grid to finish fifth.
Harker’s podium backs up a strong performance in Saturday’s opening race, where he finished fourth. He started from third on the grid in Race 2, behind only series leaders Florian Latorre and Luo Kailuo.
Following an early caution, the battle for the lead was between the front-row starters, while Harker also pulled a small gap over the pack for a comfortable but well-earned podium.
Kailuo won the race, holding off Latorre by 0.204 seconds, with Harker 1.9 seconds up the road in third.
While Harker had impressed with his podium, van der Drift should also be commended for his drive to fifth from the back of the grid. He had failed to set a competitive second time in qualifying following multiple track limits violations but was quick to make up ground once the lights went green.
In just three laps, van der Drift passed 15 cars before a Lap 4 Safety Car came into the equation. The Kiwi was able to make up one further place following the restart and threatened Martin Ragginger in fourth for the remainder of the race.
Ragginger held firm for the position, van der Drift settling for fifth, just 0.331 seconds behind his rival.
Kailuo’s third win in four races sees him exit the round with the championship lead, with Latorre 9 points behind in second. Van der Drift remains third in the standings, 15 points off second, while Harker moves into seventh despite having missed two opening rounds.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia returns on June 30 at Suzuka in Japan.
Images: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
