Highlights
Round 4, hosted by Queensland Raceway known locally as the “Hairpin” for its straights and “V-shaped” corners. Whilst it is a relatively simple track to understand from a driver’s point of view there are quite a few nuances which while only make marginal gains they are significant in posting a fast lap. Track conditions can frequently change with changes in humidity, temperature, wind direction as well as thunderstorms mainly in the summer. To post a fast lap time around Queensland Raceway, drivers need to be very good at hitting their brake markers, hitting the apex and getting the power down to maximise the length of the straights. Turn 2 requires getting the car balanced with just the right combination of steering, throttle and braking inputs.
Having not practiced at Queensland Raceway since racing there in 2023, saw Hamish starting off at a disadvantage to his competitors. However, owing to his last year podium result, together with the recent podium at Townsville, gave Hamish some confidence that he would be able learn fast and be somewhere near the top of the timing charts. There would only be a single extended practice for this round.
Hamish rolled out in practice, phasing his tyres in and getting a feel for the track for the first 6 or so laps. After the warmup phase the plan was to flip on a set of green tyres to get a feel for qualifying later that day. What started off as a routine stop, quickly turned into disaster in the pits. Hamish’s car suffering a fuel pump failure (yes they are submersible) and could not be fixed by the team in the pits, retiring Hamish from practice. There goes the green tyre run, placing Hamish firmly on the backfoot for qualifying.
When the cars rolled out for qualifying, after the warmup phase, it was clear that Hamish was losing valuable time through cornering. Without the benefit of practice, it quickly became apparent that Hamish was under the gun to post a decent time. After extracting everything the car could offer, Hamish managed a lacklustre P10 for what was meant to be his home track!
Race 1 over 13 laps, saw Hamish drive from P10 to P6. The Queensland hairpin layout proving difficult to pass and gain any significant lap time improvement. It was clear from mid-race that Hamish faced a difficult task in moving through the field, a round podium was fast becoming out of reach.
Race 2 over 13 laps, again saw Hamish wrestling with the car. Starting out of P6, Hamish worked his way through the field. A late safety car ensured that Hamish’s charge through to the front finished prematurely, with a one lap dash to finish the race, Hamish passing the winning post in 3rd place. Post race drama ensured, whereby Hamish was handed down a time penalty for not providing a fellow race competitor enough racing room at turn 5, pushing him down the field to P16. All but ending Hamish’s chances of a salvageable result for the round.
Race 3, the Endurance Cup over 29 laps, saw Hamish roll out of P16. After a cracking start, Hamish quickly showed good pace on cold tyres cutting through the field navigating his way up into the top 5. Hamish still battling with his car, positions changing nearly every lap and a late safety car, saw Hamish finish in P6, in what would ultimately be his final race of the 2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Season.
Overall, an unexpected and disappointing result for Hamish, with the round being marred by mechanical failure and being determined in the race steward’s office. Hamish now faced the prospect of having no mathematical chance of winning this year’s Championship. This was a reflection point for Hamish in his pursuit of a professional career in motorsport. It quickly became apparent that there needed to be some wholesome changes going forward. In a performance sport it’s not about the desire or ambition to win, it’s more about having the right platform in place and methodically going about your business.
After completing just 4 rounds out of 6 for Porsche Sprint Challenge 2024, Hamish finished in P6 for the Professional class and P4 for the Endurance Cup.
Where to from here? Stay tuned……
