Experienced driver John Goodacre took victory in the opening Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia presented by Pirelli heat at Sandown.

After charging into the lead at the start from the second row, Goodacre held off young chargers Jon McCorkindale and Fraser Ross.

Meanwhile the battle for fourth saw Porsche Carrera Cup Australia racers Marc Cini and Tony Walls along with GT3 Cup Challenge regular John Karytinos fighting hard in the early stages of the 12 lap encounter.

Karytinos eventually prevailed in the tussle to claim fourth.

At the front, Goodacre was able to establish a gap on the field when Ross ran wide on Lap 7 at the third-to-last corner, relinquishing second position to McCorkindale.

The fight for second allowed Goodacre to take the win, while an exciting battle for second ended with McCorkindale holding his position to take second with Ross third.

“It’s great to get the race win today. I’ve only had one win after racing in GT3 Cup Challenge for three years and I hope to get a few more,” said Goodacre.

“Jon and Fraser are great racers and we had lap record pace all race.

“It was great to get the race win and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow.”

Former Carrera Cup competitor Michael Loccisano placed seventh after a great tussle with Class B points leader and race winner Matt Campbell who took the flag in eighth.

“I’ve never been here before however I’ve done plenty of laps here on the simulator,” said Campbell.

“I certainly don’t have the power of the Class A cars but it was good to still compete with some of them, and it was great to get another Class B victory.”

Peter Fitzgerald finished ninth from Jack Falla, Scott Taylor, Richard Gartner, Ross McGregor, Michael Tsigeridis, Sam Shahin and Tim Miles in 16th.

GT3 Cup Challenge Race 1