Cameron Hill has converted a first Porsche Payce Carrera Cup Australia pole position into his first race win in the series, at Hidden Valley.
The Canberran lost the lead when the lights went out after Sonic Motor Racing’s Michael Almond made a great start.
Hill (Cameron Hill Racing) would reclaim the lead on Lap 16 on the exit of Turn 1 in a race which went time-certain due to a heavy crash for Tim Miles.
The Pro-Am racer found the tyre barrier after spearing his Porsche into the inside wall at the exit of Turn 1 on Lap 11.
Miles was carrying a dislodged rear wing after making contact with class competitor Roger Lago on the opening lap.
The New Zealander went wide onto the astroturf at the exit of Turn 1, which flung his car across the track.
McElrea Racing team owner, Andrew McElrea, reported that the incident was due to a separate issue.
“We were with the technical people just assessing to see if it was getting any worse, which it wasn’t,” he said.
“It had no impact with the incident that occurred. It was holding firm, but the incident was a different issue.
“He’s fine. He’s as cheeky as ever, so that’s when you know he’s ok.”
A final lap tussle between Almond and Jordan Love would settle the podium placings with the latter attempting a dive-bomb on his team-mate into Turn 1 but not succeeding in making the move.
Just behind them was another Sonic car in that of Dale Wood, while Adrian Flack topped the Pro-Am class in ninth outright.
The second of three races this weekend is scheduled on Sunday at 1000 local time/1030 AEST.
Results: Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Race 1
Pos | Car | Competitor/Team | Driver | Vehicle | Laps | Race time |
1 | 111 | Seears Workwear | Cameron Hill | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:16.2349 |
2 | 77 | Sonic/Bob Jane T-Marts/PSA Aus | Michael Almond | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:19.5497 |
3 | 777 | Sonic/Bob Jane T-Marts/SRG | Jordan Love | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:20.9113 |
4 | 100 | Sonic/Polyflor | Dale Wood | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:21.3948 |
5 | 7 | MEGA/No Second Chance | Warren Luff | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:27.2629 |
6 | 38 | PAYCE | David Wall | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:28.8865 |
7 | 8 | Porsche Centre Melbourne | Nick McBride | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:29.2706 |
8 | 12 | O’Brien Electrical & Plumbing | Steve Richards | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:29.5412 |
9 | 20 | Agas National | Adrian Flack | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:30.0157 |
10 | 34 | Hyundai Forklifts Australia | Duvashen Padayachee | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:30.2755 |
11 | 5 | Sonic/Hosepower | Thomas Maxwell | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:30.4555 |
12 | 27 | Wash It | Liam Talbot | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:31.3290 |
13 | 13 | The Bend Motorsport Park/HTFU | Sam Shahin | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:38.3099 |
14 | 19 | Hallmark Homes | Anthony Gilbertson | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:39.7114 |
15 | 23 | Dayco/Lago Cold Stores | Roger Lago | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:44.4268 |
16 | 22 | BMF | Dean Cook | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:44.7798 |
17 | 36 | Lodge Brothers | Cooper Murray | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 1:49.3916 |
18 | 222 | Scott Taylor Motorsport | Scott Taylor | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 33 | 2:02.2570 |
DNF | 6 | Garage 1 | Tim Miles | Porsche 911 GT3 Cup | 10 | 1:50.6527 |