New Zealanders Brock Gilchrist, Clay Osborne and Ayrton Hodson resume their Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia campaigns this weekend at Symmons Plains in Tasmania.
Racing in support of the Supercars Tasmania Supersprint, the Porsche Sprint Challenge will compete three times, including two sprints and a longer Jim Richards Endurance Trophy outing.
A clean sweep for Earl Bamber Motorsport’s Oscar Targett last round at Queensland Raceway elevated his lead over Gilchrist to 85 points ahead of the event. A maximum of 180 points are up for grabs in Tasmania, presenting Gilchrist with the opportunity to close the gap on his leading teammate.
While Targett has been on form in the sprint races, Gilchrist holds the advantage in the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy standings, with an 18-point buffer over his rival.
It’s the Team Porsche New Zealand driver’s first time competing at the venue, while Targett took two podiums in the 2023 meet.
A strong weekend in Queensland elevated Osborne to third in the Sprint Challenge standings, although he sits 178 points behind Targett and needs to outscore the Australian to remain a mathematical possibility for the title.
Hodson, who achieved his maiden podium along with two further top-five finishes last round, has climbed to seventh in the standings. With fourth-placed Hamish Fitzsimmons not competing at Symmons Plains, another strong round from Hodson will see him challenging for a top-five spot.
Conor Somers, who violently rolled during qualifying in Townsville last month, returns to the field with his car having required a complete re-shell, including replacing around 90 per cent of its components.
The Porsche Sprint Challenge field begins their weekend with two practice sessions on Friday, ahead of qualifying at 3.35 pm NZST that afternoon.
Race 1, a 25-minute sprint, starts at 12.30 pm on Saturday before the 45-minute Jim Richards Enduro at 4.40 pm.
Sunday’s sole race, a 25-minute sprint, begins at 2.10 pm.
Coverage will be shown live on Sky Sport in New Zealand.
Header Image: Porsche Motorsport Australia
