Jones claims first Carrera Cup round win

Harri Jones has won the third race and overall round at Winton in the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia championship.

David Russell started from pole, but it was Jones who was able to cleanly get the jump, setting up what would be a one-second victory in the end.

Russell ended up finishing in second place, with former Supercars full-timer Dale Wood taking third.

This is Jones’ first round win in Carrera Cup after just 10 round starts, denying veteran Russell.

Jones is now the championship leader, moving up from fourth place heading into Winton.

“That was an awesome race to come away with the win for the weekend and take my first Carrera Cup round,” he said.

“I’m really happy and want to say a massive thank you to the McElrea team, they gave me an absolute rocket this weekend.

“Winton is not our home track, so to come here after many years and get the win, its amazing and credit must go to the work the team has been doing to make our car fast this weekend, where we could get a good start and to lead the flag, I can’t thank everyone enough.

“I had a poor start in the race this morning, so we worked on getting more rear tyre temp and this afternoon it just hooked up.

“I can’t wait for Darwin, we were up there for a two day test a few weeks back, so I can’t wait, the track is absolutely amazing and will definitely be different weather to here. We’ve been freezing all weekend here and up there will be very warm, so looking forward to getting up there and getting amongst it.”

This is the 11th time that Russell has finished on the podium for a round, still without a win.

Five different teams were able to finish in the top five positions, with Dylan O’Keeffe and Simon Fallon fourth and fifth.

An opening lap tangle put Luke Youlden off the road, and with six laps remaining, Michael Almond had a wild spin at the Turn 5 sweeper as he blew a left rear tyre – both were able to finish the race in 13th and 31st, respectively.

Matthew Belford was once again able to win the Pro-Am class, with Rodney Jane in second and Adrian Flack finishing in third.

Carrera Cup returns in four weeks’ time for Round 3 of the championship at Hidden Valley.

Results: Race 3