McElrea Racing
McElrea Racing

Porsche Festival Sandown

Published on the 19th of December 2020 by McElrea Racing

Given the travel restrictions and border challenges recently, it was such a privilege to be able to go racing against our old rivals in Carrera Cup and Porsche Sprint Challenge at one of MR's happy hunting grounds, Sandown in Melbourne, Victoria.

This event was unique in that it wasn't a championship round for either category - for fairly obvious reasons, but was the first time ever that we were able to put our Carrera Cup and Sprint Challenge drivers in the same race at a Porsche-centric event that made us all proud to be associated with this iconic German manufacturer.

We were able to offer up our 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge champion Harri Jones, 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge multiple race-winner Ryan Suhle, 2019 GT3 Cup Challenge front-runner Christian Pancione, Carrera Cup Pro-Am multiple round winner Tim Miles, and two Porsche rookies.

Jackson Walls, single seater standout and son of successful MR GT racer Tony, joined MR for his first hit-out with a roof over his head and Brisbane businessman Richard Cowen was competing in his first Porsche race weekend.

Harri Jones

1st, 3rd, 2nd - Porsche Carrera Cup 'Pro Class'
Harri Jones with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Ryan Suhle

1st, 1st, 2nd - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 'Pro Class'
Ryan Suhle with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Christian Pancione

2nd, 2nd, 1st - Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 'Pro Class'
Christian Pancione with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Tim Miles

2nd, 2nd, 2nd Porsche Carrera Cup 'Pro-Am Class'
Tim Miles with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Jackson Walls

5th, 5th, 4th - Porsche Carrera Cup 'Pro Class'
Jackson Walls with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Richard Cowen

6th, 5th, 5th, Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge 'Pro-Am Class'
Richard Cowen with McElrea Racing at the Porsche Festival Sandown 2020

Summary

What an amazing way to end a crappy year. Harri wins Carrera Cup ‘Pro’, Ryan wins Sprint Challenge ‘Pro’, Christian was 2nd in Sprint Challenge ‘Pro’, Tim was 2nd in Carrera Cup ‘Pro-Am’ Jackson has a hugely impressive tin-top debut with three top-5s and rookie Richard Cowen, did a ripper job and even lapped one of his competitors in the 45 minute enduro.

2020, out, drop the mic.

See you in 2021!