Last week we asked you who was the most impressive driver or rider in any international category in 2017.
This week, Speedcafe.com is looking at our own specifically.
With the year just finished, we want to know which Australian or New Zealander impressed you most in 2017?
Read our shortlist below and cast your vote in this week’s Pirtek Poll.
Earl Bamber, World Endurance Championship
Earl Bamber was one of the two World Endurance Championship-winning New Zealanders in Porsche’s final LMP1 season. He and Brendon Hartley also won the Le Mans 24 Hours with German Timo Bernhard.
Bamber will stay with Porsche for various GT programs in 2018, but has also earned a call-up as Shane van Gisbergen’s Pirtek Enduro Cup co-driver.
Matt Campbell, Porsche Supercup
Australia knew how talented Matt Campbell is but he proved himself on an international stage in 2017, winning four Porsche Supercup races in his rookie season.
The young Queenslander broke through at the Red Bull Ring and swept the final weekend of the season in Mexico, and has been elevated to a Porsche Young Professional role for 2018 as he moves into more GT racing.
Nick Cassidy, Super Formula, Super GT
Nick Cassidy flew under the radar compared to some of his compatriots, but winning the Super GT title makes him a worthy nomination on this list.
While the Auckland native’s debut Super Formula season was tough, maiden pole notwithstanding, Cassidy and co-driver Ryo Hirakawa were at or near the top of Super GT for most of the season, sealing the championship at Motegi.
Scott Dixon, IndyCar
One of IndyCar’s stalwarts, Scott Dixon may have only won just the one race in 2017 but he was a series threat all season.
Notably, the New Zealander took pole at Indianapolis and was the only man to consistently challenge Team Penske’s foursome.
Jason Doyle, Speedway Grand Prix
Jason Doyle is Australia’s newest world champion having wrapped up the Speedway Grand Prix title by winning the final round on home soil in Melbourne.
That feat was commendable enough, but the Novocastrian was still carrying a fracture after breaking three bones in his right foot in a crash in Polish league competition in June.
CLICK HERE to see when Jason Doyle went Up Front With Foges just prior to the Melbourne Speedway GP.
Brendon Hartley, Formula 1, World Endurance Championship
Brendon Hartley not only shared his 2017 achievements with his friend from their childhood karting days, he also earned his second chance at Formula 1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
His performances in the final races of the season earned Hartley a full-time drive with the Red Bull junior team this year.
Joey Mawson, European Formula 3 Championship
Joey Mawson stepped up to the European Formula 3 Championship last year.
He took his only podium with a tidy performance in the rain at the Nürburgring, finishing the championship in 13th.
Jack Miller, MotoGP
Jack Miller might not have won a race in 2017, but he still finished seven positions better in the championship the year prior when he did take the chequered flag first in Assen.
Miller was far more consistent in his third season in MotoGP, with top 10 finishes in exactly half of the 18 races, and a fourth placing in his Suzuka 8 Hours cameo.
Alex Peroni, Formula Renault Eurocup
Alex Peroni was one of a quintet of Australians in the highly competitive Formula Renault Eurocup, winning in Pau.
The Tasmanian’s exploits in a Fortec Motorsports entry were recognised with backing from Renault Australia.
Oscar Piastri, British Formula 4
Oscar Piastri marked himself as one to watch with a runner-up finish in the British Formula 4 Championship.
He took six race wins out of a total of 15 podiums and will make the move into Formula Renault Eurocup this year.
Will Power, IndyCar
Luck deserted Will Power in the early stages of the 2017 IndyCar Series, most notably while leading at Barber Motorsports Park.
He took race wins on the Indianapolis road course, in Texas, and in Pocono, but a crash from pole position at Gateway finished off his title hopes.
Thomas Randle, Toyota Racing Series, Formula Renault Eurocup
Thomas Randle kicked off his year by winning the highly-regarded Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand, becoming the first Australian to do so.
Amid a varied season of racing, ranging from Touring Car Masters to LMP3s, he managed to finish 14th in Formula Renault Eurocup despite joining the championship mid-season.
Daniel Ricciardo, Formula 1
Daniel Ricciardo fell just short of what would have been a highly commendable fourth position in the championship in a season dominated by Mercedes and Ferrari.
The West Australian snatched victory in Azerbaijan and also passed more cars than anyone else.
Which Australian or New Zealander impressed you most on the world stage in 2017? Cast your vote in this week’s Pirtek Poll.
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