SMOOTH SAILING SATURDAY FOR MONOCHROME GT4 AUSTRALIA AT THE BEND

14 Oct SMOOTH SAILING SATURDAY FOR MONOCHROME GT4 AUSTRALIA AT THE BEND

The first two of four one-hour races of the penultimate round of the 2023 Monochrome GT4 Australia season have been run and won at The Bend.

Shane Smollen and Ricky Capo in the #56 Prestige Connex Porsche Cayman 718 crossed the finish line first in race one from pole position, while a late race leadership change in race two saw the #32 Randall Industries BMW F82 M4 of Jacob Lawrence and John Bowe claim those honours in the final race of the day.

Smollen/Capo quickly set down the fastest lap times in race one, and a late-race battle between Smollen/Capo and Lawrence/Bowe proved victorious for the pole sitter. Lawrence/Bowe didn’t relinquish the top spot easily – ultimately coming home in second – with multiple changes for the lead occurring in the final minutes of the race.

Mark Griffith wasn’t far behind in race two, crossing the line second in the #19 Daimler Trucks Brisbane Mercedes AMG GT, bettering his race one finish of third. A late-race two tyre issue saw the #56 tumble from race lead to third.

The Karl Begg/Paul Morris #40 GT4 Australia McLaren 570S entry took out fourth place in race one, while a fuel pickup issue resulted in a heartbreaking DNF after taking the lead with five laps to go in race two.

While the Monochrome GT4 Australia field enjoyed a trouble-free race one and two, two safety cars were called during race one for mechanical issues with cars running the Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars field (Monochrome GT4 Australia runs alongside the Mobile 1 Australian Production Cars in 2023).

Sunday will host two further Monochrome GT4 Australia races, which is sharing its grid with the Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars this year. They will hit the track at 10.10am and 3.00pm ACDT, with both races to be televised on 7Plus, BlendLine TV and Motorsport Australia.

For further information about Mobil 1 Australian Production Cars and Monochrome GT4 Australia, please contact admin@ausprodcars.com.au or visit www.ausprodcars.com.au