Wall Wins Eventful Race Two in Adelaide

By admin March 4, 2017 Adelaire Street Circuit, Porsche Carrera Cup Australia

David Wall Takes Race Win and Series Lead

David Wall has continued his strong start to the 2017 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia presented by TAG Heuer season with victory in Saturday’s race two in Adelaide, moving to the top of the series standings.

An impressive race two start allowed Wall to lead into the opening chicane before the Sydneysider built a strong lead, which he maintained until the finish of the eventful 20 lap race.

After finishing second in Friday’s race one, Saturday’s win places Wall in the lead of the championship standings entering the final day of the opening round.

“I was very happy with my start in race two. The car was okay during the race; the track definitely changed compared to yesterday, as it normally does here, so we’ll tune up the car a little bit again for tomorrow’s race. It’s a great way to start the championship and I can’t wait for tomorrow and hopefully remain at the front,” said Wall.

Race one winner Andre Heimgartner was initially Wall’s closest rival, however a mid-race error allowed Cam McConville to sneak into second after initially starting sixth on the grid.

McConville was able to hold Heimgartner at bay for the remainder of the race, placing second from Heimgartner and James Abela in a career high fourth position, one place better than his race one performance.

“I wasn’t expecting to have results like these so early coming into the season. I’ve been getting faster and faster all weekend so to get a fourth in today’s race is amazing. Running among the guys at the front makes it more enjoyable and is a massive confidence booster along with learning some of their tricks along the way,” said Abela.

Dylan O’Keeffe improved on his seventh place in race one to claim fifth from Jaxon Evans and Nick McBride, who both endured a difficult race two.

Evans was trailing Alex Davison in the opening laps and attempted an overtake at turn nine on lap eight; the move was unsuccessful and contact between the two drivers spun Davison, who sustained race ending damage. Evans dropped five positions and was subsequently handed a drive through penalty, ultimately recovering to finish sixth.

McBride had his own difficulties during the race; the Melbournian dropped to seventh after spinning with one lap remaining.

Stephen Grove placed eighth outright and claimed TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge honours from Marc Cini in ninth, with Simon Ellingham finishing 10th after missing the opening race due to ill health.

“I really needed to push hard early,” said Grove. “I knew that if I could gap the cars behind me that would help me for the remainder of the race. I just pushed and pushed, it was hot and the car was slippery and I just had to hang on. I’m happy with the class win and my outright result and I hope to push the pro drivers some more in tomorrow’s third race.”

Lars Kern’s drama-filled debut round continued in race two. The German fell victim to a broken rim in race one, which sent him into the turn 11 barrier and ended his race. Kern then moved up the order in race two until drama found the German once again; Michael Almond spun late in the race and collected the rear end of Kern’s Porsche, which forced Kern into the turn four wall. While Kern emerged unscathed, his race car sustained significant damage and won’t return to the track for Sunday’s final race. Meanwhile Almond retired from the race with front end damage, but will return for race three.

Porsche Carrera Cup Australia presented by TAG Heuer will hold its final race of the Clipsal 500 on Sunday at 1:30 PM.

Race Schedule
Sunday March 05, 2017
1:30 PM Race 3 (20 laps)

Broadcast Schedule
Channel: Ten
Race 3 – 1:50  PM, Sunday March 05 (local time)

Channel: Fox Sports 5
Race 3 – 1:30 PM, Sunday March 05 (local time)

Race 2 results

  1. #38 David Wall (Outright) PAYCE/Wilson Security – 20 laps, 28:02.9
  2. #5 Cameron McConville (Outright) Repair Management Australia – 20 laps, 28:04.5
  3. #777 Andre Heimgartner (Outright) Bob Jane T-Marts/Sonic – 20 laps, 28:06.0
  4. #54 James Abela (Outright) Horsley Park Gun Shop – 20 laps, 28:15.2
  5. #88 Dylan O’Keeffe (Outright) APB Group/President Limo Australia – 20 laps, 28:17.6
  6. #7 Jaxon Evans (Outright) Hungry Jacks – 20 laps, 28:36.0
  7. #77 Nick McBride (Outright) Sonic/Bob Jane T-Marts – 20 laps, 28:53.8
  8. #4 Stephen Grove (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Grove Group – 20 laps, 28:58.6
  9. #9 Marc Cini (TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge) Hallmarc – 20 laps, 29:08.1
  10. #33 Simon Ellingham (Outright) Peak Marketing – 19 laps, 29:19.5

DNF #8 Lars Kern (Outright) Porsche Centre Melbourne – 18 laps, 25:27.0

DNF #6 Michael Almond (Outright) Repair Management Australia – 18 laps, 25:36.1

DNF #888 Alex Davison (Outright) President Limo Australia – 7 laps, 09:54.5

Sources: Daniel Jordan/Porsche Cars Australia