Callum Hedge’s victory in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia opener at The Bend has fuelled a fierce championship battle between the Kiwi and Australia’s Jackson Walls as the series enters its mid-point.
Only 20 points separated the duo entering the round, with Walls holding the upper hand. Hedge responded by qualifying on pole in yesterday’s session but was relegated to fourth for impeding another driver, which promoted his rival to the front row.
Four corners were all it took for the Kiwi to overcome those ahead in Saturday’s sole race, a great start giving momentum down the long straight into Turn 1, paving the way for Hedge to take the lead. He managed this well over the following eleven laps to take the chequered flag by 1.1 seconds over Walls.
Fabian Coulthard finished 12th, and Chris Pither came home 15th.
The win is Hedge’s first of the season after he was sensationally stripped of honours in the opening race in Townsville for “a breach of the driver briefing instructions – no breaking of traction from Turn 13 on the formation lap.”
Walls also has one victory to his name in 2023, coming in the final race of the opening round at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Consistent top-five results see both drivers breaking away from the field in the championship battle.
Max Vidau, who finished eighth yesterday, entered the round 67 points behind the Kiwi in third.
Sunday brings two more races at The Bend to conclude Round 4, beginning with the Enduro Cup instalment at 12.10 pm (NZ Time) and followed by the finale at 5.05 pm.
Events remain at Sandown, Bathurst, Gold Coast and Adelaide, respectively, following the conclusion of this weekend’s round, meaning there’s still plenty to play for as the season enters its second half.
Header Image: Porsche Motorsport Australia
