Kane Rose has secured the 2012 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia title with victory in the opening race of the weekend at part of the Shannons Nationals at Phillip Island.
Driving a car borrowed from fellow competitor Stephen Grove after causing significant damage to his own at the penultimate round in Queensland, Rose took pole by a narrow 0.07s before leading every one of the race’s 12 laps.
“I’m absolutely rapt to win the series. With the help of Stephen we were able to get a car, put it on the track, win the race and win the championship,” said Rose.
“We knew we were in with a good chance for the title at the start of the year, but there are plenty of quick drivers. We had a strong, consistent year with good pace. We thought we had a chance to win, but to actually do it is fantastic.
“We’ll go out there tomorrow and race hard, but we want to bring the car home straight too; it is Stephen’s car. We’ll race with our head, but we’ll be pushing.”
Michael Almond took the flag 2.4s adrift in second, with John Morriss, Adam Marjoram, John Modystach, Jeff Bobik, Phillip Woodbury, Stephen Grove, Rob Knight and John Karytinos rounding out the top 10.
The race was punctuated by a multi-car accident on the second lap involving John Goodacre, Jon Trende, Brent Odgers, Woodbury and Bobik at MG Corner.
The Safety Car was required to clean up the mess, which spelt the end of the day for Goodacre, Trende and Odgers.
A further two races will conclude the 2012 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Australia season tomorrow.
