2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge: Round 1, Symmons Plains Raceways

VIDAU DOMINATES THE APPLE ISLE

It was a great weekend for Max Vidau and the Sonic Motor Racing Services GT3 Cup Challenge team after Max took three victories from three race starts in the #77 Bob Jane T-Marts GT3 Porsche.

Although being new to Symmons Plains International Raceway, Max got off to a flying start during the first practice session and was at the pointy end of the time sheets in both sessions. A minor hiccup in Practice 2 saw Max only complete 6 laps before a damaged wheel nut saw the total loss of a rim and tyre while Max was on a flying lap. Luckily, he was quick to react and quickly got the car under control and to avoid any real damage. The team quickly checked the car over but missed out on the rest of the session.

“Friday was running smoothly, and I was quickly learning the track in both practice sessions. I was on a flyer with two purple sectors when the wheel came off, but luckily I was able to get the car off the track and there wasn't any real damage”

On the Saturday morning, Max put the #77 Bob Jane T-Marts Porsche Carrera GT3 on the front row of the grid with a 52.75s lap time and was feeling confident leading into the first race just after lunch. With fine weather and good track conditions Max took the lead and ran a clean race right up until the end although having to deal with lapped traffic. On lap 5 Max reset the class lap record with a time of 53.23s (previously held for 9-years by Matt Kingsley).

“Even though we had a minor drama on Friday and I didn't get a chance to do a qualifying simulation, the team sorted the car out and we were all feeling good about the day ahead. Starting on the front row was the plan and to take the win whilst also resetting the lap record was great”

Race 2 was a similar situation with Max taking the lead and cleanly making his way through lapped traffic. With a total of 28 laps, Max managed to reset the lap record twice, the better being on lap 20 with a time of 53.0270s.

Sunday's race saw a 9-lap safety car situation, yet Max was still able to bring home the win, setting a best time of 53.21s on lap 7 and was very happy with the way the weekend played out.

“I can’t thank the team at Sonic Motor Racing Services enough for setting the Bob Jane T-Marts Porsche so well and getting it to go fast straight out of the box and good enough for another lap record”

After three races, Max leads the championship with 180 points and having reset the local lap record, this adds to Max's lap record achievements, having previously beaten Jamie Whincup's Formula Ford record at Winton Raceway and also taking the GT3 Cup Challenge record at Sandown last year.

The championship continues when the 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge Australia heads to Sydney Motorsport Park May 17-19.

Max Vidau #77

Practice 1 2nd
Practice 2 6th
Qualifying 2nd
Race 1 1st
Race 2 1st
Race 3 1st
Round Result 1st

Top 10 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup 2019 Standings (After Rd 1 of 6)

1. Max Vidau, 180 pts
2. Harri Jones, 162 pts
3. Ryan Suhle, 144 pts
4. Aaron Love, 126 pts
5. Sam Shahin, 100 pts
6. Tom Taplin, 97 pts
7. Christian Pancione, 77 pts
8. Ross McGregor, 66 pts
9. Sergio Pires, 63 pts
10. Michael Loccisano, 52 pts