Highlights
Round 1 saw racing at Phillip Island, an iconic purposed built track, perfect for GT racing. Located on the coast of Phillip Island on the cusp of Bass Straight, the weather often plays a critical role in how the weekend plays out as does the track which is noted for its high tyre degradation. Being successful at Phillip Island needs the right combination of driver, engineer who can rapidly adapt to changing conditions and a dependable race team that gets the conditions right on the day. Fortunately, the weather for the opening round was dry, gusting winds a feature, particularly challenging with wind coming from behind down the Gardener Straight (pit straight) into a fast right hander at Doohan corner (turn 1), very cold mornings and heating up in the afternoon. Phillip Island was the opening round to Porsche Sprint Challenge in 2023, meant that Hamish was returning to a track he was familiar with, as were many of his competitors. Race 1 was televised live as part of Channel 7's Speed Series and can be viewed here (queue to 5 hours, 5 minutes) Watch Race
Hamish rolled out with just 1 practice day under his belt. Despite a less-than-optimal preparation Hamish was straight on the pace in the 2 practice sessions, including topping practice 2. This set up Hamish for a great start to the race weekend under the watchful eye of renowned race engineer Paul Ceprnich, from Pace Innovations.
After an incident free qualifying session, Hamish finished in P2. Starting on P2 for what would be an 8 lap race 1, saw Hamish start the racing line side of the track. After trading places with fellow competitor Oscar Targett throughout the race in a hard-fought battle for the lead, Hamish finished in P2 behind Targett.
Race 2 was the Endurance Race the longest race of the weekend being 25 laps, had Hamish starting out of P2. After an ensuing battle again with Targett, Hamish this time finished in P1, with a calculated move at Honda corner (turn 10), late in the race to take his maiden Porsche Sprint Challenge victory. Race 2 was televised live as part of Channel 7's Speed Series and can be viewed here (queue to 5 hours, 5 minutes)
The final race of the weekend race 3 (8 laps), Hamish was off P1, starting off the racing line. After a clean getaway, Hamish was under fire from young drivers Clay Osborne and Oscar Targett. The race was shortened considerably due to incidents throughout the race, Hamish found himself in 3rd position in the dying stages of the race. Late in the race Hamish made contact with 2nd place runner Osbourne after making a dive down the inside of Honda corner (turn 10), taking himself and Osborne out of race contention, both recording a DNF and taking Hamish out of round contention.
Hamish experienced the highs and lows of racing. The round saw a healthy qualifying result, his maiden race victory and then making contact in the dying stages of the final race, taking in out of contention for a round podium (and possibly a round win). Hamish finished the round sitting 4th in the Pro championship and 1st in the Endurance Cup. A sober result for the season operner.
