News
Dec 3, 2021
Wall, Shahin claim Round 4 honours at Mount Panorama
David Wall has clean swept the fourth round of the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia, following a truncated second race at Mount Panorama on Friday afternoon.
Starting from pole position, Wall had to hold off a spirited attack in the opening corners from Cameron Hill – with the former champion holding on to the lead – before ultimately claiming honours in the Mobil Pro Class.
It was Wall’s fourth career round win, his first since the Gold Coast in 2019 and the third time he’s swept all the races in a single round.
The result keeps the Wall Racing driver, the 2017 Carrera Cup Champion, right in the thick of the points calculations as the season draws to a conclusion; Wall leading home Hill and Aaron Love in the round four results.
“I’m just trying to win some more races and enjoy myself around here, but really wrapped to take maximum points and looking forward to round 5,” Wall said.
“The start was very critical in the moment with Cam Hill, I had just a little bit of an overlap luckily, but he was more than fair and he is great to race.”
Hill for his efforts held on for second, followed by Love, who was the first Michelin Junior home.
The Canberran has an enhanced championship lead following Round 4, extending his margin over nearest rivals Harri Jones and Cooper Murray – with David Wall now also in the top three mix following today’s win.
“Great round for us, two second places is good for the points,” said the Mobil Pro class title leader.
“Obviously Dave did an awesome job and got the win this weekend, but we’re in front of the guys that we need to be in front of, so very happy. Still two races and one round to go.”
Murray and Jones were next in the race two order, with Craig Lowndes, Christian Pancione, David Russell, Matthew Payne and Jackson Walls filling the top-ten places.
In Morris Finance Pro-Am, Sam Shahin backed up his race one success with another class win, leading home Tim Miles and Dean Cook, in race two – the same finishing order as Race one. The trio also completed the round podium.
It was The Bend Motorsport Park driver’s third career victory and came at a key time in the Pro-Am title battle, rebounding from his non-finish in Townsville in style.
“Last time I was here I got hurt very badly and I still live with the consequences, I needed to get this done and the pace was there from the start and I’m absolutely thrilled,” Shahin said.
“I really thought I was out of the Championship completely – but never ever give up.”
The first incident of the race involved Max Vidau, who came unstuck at turn two, necessitating a safety car to retrieve his stricken car.
The race restarted on lap three, but returned to safety car conditions on lap four when, Nick McBride and Simon Fallon came together on the run towards Reid Park on lap four.
Both drivers climbed from their own cars however both were assessed by the circuit medical team as a precaution following the accident.
As a result of the lengthy recovery, the race was ultimately called short after six circuits.
Tomorrow’s race constitutes the opening encounter of the fifth round of the 2021 Championship, with the grid set by all drivers’ second-fastest lap in qualifying.
This format will see Harri Jones line up from pole position ahead of Wall and Hill, with Shahin the leading Morris Finance Pro-Am driver from eighth outright.
The race is scheduled for 3pm AEDT, and will once again be broadcast live and free on 7, plus Fox Sports and Kayo.