The 2019 Porsche Michelin GT3 Cup Challenge concludes at The Bend Motorsport Park this weekend, and all three Ashley Seward Motorsport drivers have a shot at top-three class results for the season.
In the outright class, Christian Pancione has impressed with his consistency in recent rounds. Pancione has recorded 12 consecutive top-five race results, including five podiums, and has moved up to fourth in the championship, with a chance of stealing third place outright.
Pancione, who raced in the very first event at the Tailem Bend circuit when it opened last year, rates the venue as one of his favourites.
“The Bend has a very European feel – it’s fast, flowing and there’s a good variety of corners,” Pancione said.
“We’ve made some good improvements in recent rounds, and hopefully we can finish the season with some more podium results or break through for our first outright race win. We’ll need a bit of luck to finish third in the championship, but it’s what we’re aiming for.”
Ross McGregor has enjoyed his most competitive season in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge to date, scoring numerous podium results and running comfortably third in the Pro-Am Class standings. Should results go McGregor’s way this weekend, he could finish the season as high as second.
“I’ve been having some of the most fun this season I’ve ever had in racing,” McGregor said.
“I always aim to do personal-best lap times at every circuit, but to finish in the top three for the season would be sensational.”
The ASM team has a good record in Class B for the older-model 997 model Porsche GT3 Cup cars, Pancione winning the title last year. West Australian Andrew Goldie is in a position to contend for the Class B title this weekend, but knows he needs to be on top of his game.
“I’m 18 points behind David Greig, which means I need to finish ahead of him in all three races to win the title,” Goldie said.
“I’m very happy with my preparation though; we had a good test day last week, and I think The Bend is the sort of track where knowledge will be an advantage.
“Going over the data with Ash and the team has really improved my driving this year, and I know I will need to have my head down and go as hard as possible this weekend.”
This weekend’s GT3 Cup round features a condensed format, with practice and qualifying on Friday, followed by all three races on Saturday.
Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Round 6 schedule
Friday, 15 November
8:45am – Practice 1 (30 min)
11:00am – Practice 2 (30 min)
3:35pm – Qualifying (20 min)
Saturday, 16 November
9:00am – Race 1 (20 min)
11:45am – Race 2 (20 min)
3:40pm – Race 3 (20 min)
