Callum Hedge wins at Townsville
The win was especially rewarding as it was Hedge’s debut at Townsville and first time on a street circuit. Group sponsored Kiwi driver, Callum Hedge took the top step of the podium in the highly competitive Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship over the weekend. Earl Bamber Motorsport’s trip up north for Round 4 in Townsville.
It was a breakthrough weekend where Hedge achieved a clean-sweep of podium finishes for Team Porsche New Zealand/Earl Bamber Motorsport, despite qualifying 11th as teammate Ryan Suhle also took season best results.
Making his debut appearance on the hybrid street-permanent Reid Park circuit, Hedge made a steady start in practice to end Friday in eighth, but qualifying proved disappointing as he dropped outside of the top 10 in 11th.
“It was my first time in Townsville and on a street circuit, which was quite difficult for me,” said Hedge.
Qualifying was also hampered as Hedge was blocked by traffic on his fastest flying lap, but with an incident-packed race this worked into Hedge’s favor.
“We could have been in the top four, but then it worked out in our favour with Race 1 going the way it did.”
A big incident at Turn 2 enabled Hedge to move into a podium position of which he held until the end as the event finished under safety car after limited green flag running.
“It was a bit of a car park at Turn 2 and I came out third at either Turn 3 or 4, so I couldn’t believe my luck after that.” Said Hedge.
The 28 lap ‘mini enduro’ opened up Sunday’s action for Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship and Hedge did an outstanding job holding more experienced drivers, including previous Bathurst winning Luke Youlden, at bay to take second, setting up an attack in the final.
Hedge made the best jump in the final race, but had to battle to take the lead where did so entering Turn 5 and was never headed as he broke away to take his maiden race victory in Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship.
Hedge started race 3 off the front row and got a good start.
“I knew I had to get the job done early otherwise David Wall would’ve caught and passed me on his greens. I got a bit of a gap and he slowly caught up, but he had used the best of his green tyre by then.” Said Hedge
“A good trio of podiums and my first win in Carrera Cup against some very experienced guys in this field. I can’t thank Earl Bamber Motorsport and Porsche Team New Zealand enough.” Concluded the young Kiwi.
Earl Bamber Motorsport now prepares for Round 5 of the Paynter Dixon Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship at The Bend Motorsport Park on July 29-31.