OFFICIAL RELEASE: The Shannons Nationals heads north of the Australian border to New South Wales for the first time this season, as part as the fourth round on the 2017 schedule.
Racing at Sydney Motorsport Park for the first time this season, this round will feature a few firsts—with the introduction of a new race format and a fresh-faced category.
Amongst those changes is in the Australian Production Car Series, which will see the series run four one-hour races, a completely different format to their last round where two endurance races completed the event.
The battles will go down to the wire this weekend, as the current series leaders are ‘on leave’ racing in Townsville, so expect to see some surprise winners and intense class battles.
The Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge will run their fourth round for the season, with this year’s title fight proving to be one of the most exciting yet.
Jordan Love currently leads the Professional class and the Jim Richards Endurance Trophy—but it hasn’t come easy, with Anthony Gilbertson claiming pole at Winton, former Olympian John Steffensen winning the first round of the Professional class, Brenton Grove taking debut race wins and Sam Shahin taking the outright round win at Sandown.
As well as the Porsches and Production Cars, two of the most exciting sports car series in the country return to Sydney, thanks to the company of the Australian Prototype Series and Radical Australia Cup.
Arguably delivering the most exciting racing at Winton, Jason Makris will be looking to continue his winning-streak at Sydney after taking three wins at the previous round.
Peter Paddon currently leads Radical Australia Cup and will be one busy steerer, competing in both the Radical and Prototype series’ across the event.
Notable mentions to Oliver Smith and Michael Shaw in Radical who will both be looking at taking race wins on home-soil.
A new category also joins the Nationals this weekend, with the Alfa Romeo Challenge featuring a field of over 20 Alfa Romeos, ranging from Group S to Under 2 Litre.
The Nationals TV Livestream also returns this Sunday 9 July, with the action live and free at thenationals.com.au/live