Grid set for Carrera Cup opener

A 24-car grid has been confirmed for the 2021 Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia season-opener at Sandown.

Among the biggest names in the 15 Pro entries are Wall Racing team-mates Craig Lowndes and David Wall, the former being a seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner and the latter a Carrera Cup series winner.

Stalwart Supercars co-drivers Dale Wood, Luke Youlden and David Russell will also be in action, for Ashley Seward Motorsport, TekworkX Motorsport and Lago Racing respectively.

As announced today, Sonic Motor Racing Services will field three cars for Simon Fallon, Michael Almond and Aaron Love.

The two race winners from a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Cooper Murray and Cameron Hill, will both line up, while newly crowned Toyota Racing Series winner Matthew Payne will be a rookie to watch out for at Team Porsche New Zealand.

Harri Jones, Nick McBride, Jackson Walls and Christian Pancione will also feature in the Pro class.

The Pro-Am field involves many familiar names, such as Stephen Grove, Tim Miles, Sam Shahin and Scott Taylor.

The 2021 season will comprise eight rounds, starting at Sandown this weekend and finishing on the Gold Coast across December 3-5.