Bob Jane T-Marts title charge enhanced at The Bend

Bob Jane T-Marts title charge enhanced at The Bend

It was a case of improvement for the three Bob Jane T-Marts-backed Sonic Motor Racing Services entries in Round 5 of the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship at The Bend.

Rodney Jane had increased competition in the Pro-Am Class ranks as he aimed to build on his title lead in this category, while Angelo Mouzouris and Marcos Flack targeted a renewed push towards the front.

Jane started off the round by easing into driving the Porsche and The Bend layout, which didn’t feature on the calendar in 2024.

It turned into a characteristically consistent round for Jane as he qualified sixth leading to results of a pair of thirds and a second after losing the lead of the class in a last corner battle.

Jane holds an 86-point advantage in the Pro-Am Class title race heading to the next event at Bathurst.

For Mouzouris, it was a top five round result after playing catch up early to his rivals.

Qualifying in 10th, Mouzouris moved forward in the opening race to finish seventh and was eighth in the 45-minute ‘mini-enduro’ event.

Turning it around in the final race, Mouzouris charged to the top five to end the event on a strong note.

For Flack, the round was tough after a promising start in Race 1 when he climbed from 12th to eighth. However, he fell away to score a pair of 15ths in the end.

The Mountain now beckons for the Bob Jane T-Marts trio, with the next Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship event to support the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 9-12.

QUOTES

Angelo Mouzouris

#999 Bob Jane T-Marts/Sonic Porsche

“A pretty tough weekend where we started outside the leading seven or eight after struggling with car set-up,” said Mouzouris

“We managed to turn it around and the team did a fantastic job, so it’s a big thanks to the Bob Jane T-Marts/Sonic guys for tuning it up because it was awesome.

“We ended up fifth for the round, which was a great improvement.

“I can’t wait to get to Bathurst. It’s going to be a big one, so let’s get into it."

Marcos Flack

#777 Bob Jane T-Marts/Sonic Porsche

“It wasn’t the round we wanted again, but definitely displayed potential,” Flack said.

“We were on the pace in practice, but we were unable to capitalise on the potential we had demonstrated in qualifying and from there, it was a hard slog in all of the races.

“Not much we can do apart from regroup and make sure we’re prepared for the next round.

“Thanks to Sonic and Bob Jane T-Marts for all the hard work.”

Rodney Jane

#77 Bob Jane T-Marts/Sonic Porsche

“It was a mixed weekend for me at The Bend,” Jane summarised.

“I didn't do any testing between Queensland Raceway and going into this round, so I felt like I’d been out of the car for too long.

“Did six laps across the two practice sessions and went straight into qualifying where I was fourth, then second for Race 2.

“During the opening race I had to get myself back into the groove of driving this track again, which is an awesome circuit and is very challenging to drive around. It took me a while to get my eye-in and ended up finishing third.

“The car had a bit more pace in the longer second race and I felt pretty good. We finished second, but the car was pretty good and started getting myself together resulting in some lap speed returning.

“I really enjoyed the final race and ended up finishing third, which gave me second overall for the round.

“I have to be happy with my performance and I’m looking forward to Bathurst for the next round.”