DAVID WALL has emotionally claimed his maiden Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship, holding on to win the title over Andre Heimgartner on the streets of Surfers Paradise today.
Meanwhile, Jaxon Evans powered to his second overall victory of the 2017 season thanks to victories in two of the three races, and Dean Cook scored his maiden win in the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge class.
Wall’s title victory came after two tension-filled races for the 34-year-old Sydney driver, after he was shuffled from third to fifth in quick succession in the final enduro cup race on Sunday morning.
He had held third for a majority of the race however furious racing in the closing laps saw him lose two positions and see his title lead diminish further.
Heimgartner powered to an impressive victory in the 28-lap affair, narrowing the margin to just 32 points heading into the final race.
Wall then maintained fifth place throughout the 12-lap finale, needing to finish seventh or better to claim the crown should Heimgartner win.
However, the Sonic Motor Racing driver was slow away from the line and could ultimately only manage third place, behind race winner Jaxon Evans and Alex Davison.
It ensured Wall sealed the title by 20 points; the closest margin in Carrera Cup Australia championship history.
An emotional Wall dedicated the title to his late father, notable Australia national racing champion Des.
“It’s emotional for a lot of different reasons. I lost my father five years ago and I’ve been looking for something to dedicate to him, so this is all his. If he was here I’m sure he’d be pumped,” Wall said.
“It’s been a lot of years trying and a lot of water has passed under the bridge. It’s unbelievable and I’m very thankful the opportunity I’ve been given. Thanks to Wilson Security, Payce and Shannons who enable us to turn up every weekend.
“We’ve had a few things chucked at us this weekend – both good and bad – so it’s great to be standing here as champion for the year.”
Evans’ stunning round victory came thanks to victories in two of the three races this weekend, with his win in race three coming thanks to a sensational start from the front row of the grid.
He then pulled away from Davison and Heimgartner to record his fifth race win and second round win of the year. It also delivered McElrea Racing their third straight win on the Gold Coast.
“It’s an amazing feeling to come here for my first time on the streets of the Gold Coast and to get two wins – it’s pretty special,” Evans said.
“It’s capped off a pretty big learning year but I can’t wait to come back next year.”
Heimgartner finished second overall in both the round and championship, and his stunning victory in the Enduro Cup race ensured the title would go down to the wire. Davison charged to the final step of the podium despite having finished race one in a lowly 10th position.
The former Carrera Cup champion also sensationally clinched the inaugural Carrera Cup Enduro title by the narrowest of margins.
Working his way from 10th on the grid, Davison edged out Michael Almond by just 0.02s for third place in the 28-lap encounter, enough to see him tie Heimgartner in the Enduro Cup standings.
With the title determined on countback based on the winner of the first enduro cup race at Sandown, Davison scored the winner despite both sharing a first, second and third in each of the three races.
In the TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge, Dean Cook found himself winning the round after early rivals Stephen Grove and Max Twigg were both removed contention after a clash on the opening lap of the Enduro Cup race.
Cook then beat home Marc Cini and Sam Shahin to win that race and backed up that performance to win the final race later in the day.
“It feels good! We’ve been trying all year to get on the podium and we’ve been on the lower levels a couple of times. I was just trying to keep it all straight and on track for the entire weekend.”
Stephen Grove was officially crowned TAG Heuer Carrera Challenge winner, securing his second title despite not finishing the final two races of the year.
Marc Cini finished second overall while Sam Shahin climbed to third in class at the end of the season.
Cini also clinched the Carrera Challenge enduro cup, his first major title in the series. The Porsche Centre Melbourne racer overhauled early leader Stephen Grove this weekend, with Graham Williams second and Grove third..
